Key Takeaways
- • Alex Jeffrey, who served as CEO of Savills Investment Management for seven years, will step back from day-to-day responsibilities at the end of June 2026 and transition to a senior adviser role focused on client relationships and strategic expansion.
- • Michael Neal, currently global CIO at Savills IM and former CIO and head of funds management at Nuveen (joining Savills IM in January 2025), will assume the interim CEO role effective July 1, 2026, while retaining his global CIO responsibilities.
- • Alex Griffiths, previously managing director and head of investor relations at AEW Europe, has been appointed as the new head of client capital at Savills IM, strengthening the firm's institutional client-facing capabilities during the leadership transition.
- • The leadership restructuring positions Savills IM to drive global expansion and client capital growth while leveraging Neal's 30+ years of real estate experience and established relationships across the Savills Group.
Summary
Savills plc has announced a leadership transition at Savills Investment Management, with CEO Alex Jeffrey stepping back from operational duties effective June 30, 2026, following a seven-year tenure. Jeffrey will assume a senior adviser position focused on maintaining senior client relationships and supporting strategic expansion initiatives, signaling a managed transition rather than an abrupt departure.
Michael Neal, currently serving as global Chief Investment Officer at Savills IM, will assume the interim CEO title effective July 1, 2026. Neal brings substantial institutional experience, having joined Savills IM in January 2025 from Nuveen, where he served as CIO and head of funds management. With over 30 years of global real estate experience, Neal has rapidly established strong relationships across both Savills IM and the broader Savills Group in his first six months with the company. Notably, Neal will continue to discharge his global CIO responsibilities alongside his new CEO duties, indicating the firm's confidence in his capability to manage dual portfolios.
To strengthen client capital operations during the transition, Savills IM has appointed Alex Griffiths as head of client capital. Griffiths previously held the position of managing director and head of investor relations at AEW Europe, bringing relevant institutional client management expertise to the role. This dual appointment—Neal as interim CEO and Griffiths as head of client capital—addresses both operational leadership and investor-facing functions as the firm navigates its expansion strategy.
The timing of these changes reflects deliberate succession planning within Savills IM's parent organization, aligning with broader leadership movements across the Savills Group in early 2026. The transition preserves continuity through Jeffrey's advisory capacity while enabling Neal to implement strategic initiatives leveraging his Nuveen background in funds management and institutional capital deployment.
Michael Neal, currently serving as global Chief Investment Officer at Savills IM, will assume the interim CEO title effective July 1, 2026. Neal brings substantial institutional experience, having joined Savills IM in January 2025 from Nuveen, where he served as CIO and head of funds management. With over 30 years of global real estate experience, Neal has rapidly established strong relationships across both Savills IM and the broader Savills Group in his first six months with the company. Notably, Neal will continue to discharge his global CIO responsibilities alongside his new CEO duties, indicating the firm's confidence in his capability to manage dual portfolios.
To strengthen client capital operations during the transition, Savills IM has appointed Alex Griffiths as head of client capital. Griffiths previously held the position of managing director and head of investor relations at AEW Europe, bringing relevant institutional client management expertise to the role. This dual appointment—Neal as interim CEO and Griffiths as head of client capital—addresses both operational leadership and investor-facing functions as the firm navigates its expansion strategy.
The timing of these changes reflects deliberate succession planning within Savills IM's parent organization, aligning with broader leadership movements across the Savills Group in early 2026. The transition preserves continuity through Jeffrey's advisory capacity while enabling Neal to implement strategic initiatives leveraging his Nuveen background in funds management and institutional capital deployment.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.