Matthew Richards

Current Role

Matthew Richards is a leading figure in real estate investment strategy at JLL, overseeing the planning, development and execution of clients' real estate investment strategies. He has led JLL's Capital Markets business across EMEA since 2017 and in 2025 he was also appointed UK CEO. In this dual capacity, Matthew oversees the strategic direction of JLL's Capital Markets operations throughout the EMEA region while simultaneously leading the company's second largest market as UK CEO. He also has oversight of JLL operations in the Nordics and Switzerland and the EMEA Valuations function.

Beyond his leadership role at JLL, Matthew is an industry thought leader who regularly contributes to major real estate publications, speaks at global conferences and is an active supporter of the Urban Land Institute.

Career History

• Head of International Capital Coverage for Europe (prior to 2017) – bringing international investors to the UK
• Head of International Capital Group in Europe since 2011 – focusing on the import and export of capital to and from the region
• Seconded to Lloyds Banking Group from 2010 to 2011 – worked on their distressed property loan portfolio
• Ran the pan-European Corporate Capital Markets team from 2005 until 2010
• Joined JLL's Corporate Finance Team in 2005
• Started his career at JLL in 1998 in the Investment Department focusing on regional office investment

Education

Matthew received his BA (Hons) Geography from Birmingham University and his MSc Land Management from Reading University. In this global role, he has been a key team member on a number of JLL's most prestigious projects and in the past eighteen months has advised on $11bn of European transactions.

What Matthew Richards Could Bring to JLL UK and EMEA Capital Markets Leadership

As UK CEO, Matthew's focus is on elevating JLL's service across the UK by bringing the best of JLL to clients and colleagues. He will continue to invest in innovative technology and sustainable solutions to position JLL as a strategic partner to meet clients' evolving real estate needs. In the early part of his career, he undertook client secondments, which he credits as defining experiences that taught him the value, and skill, of building trusted relationships, a capability that will serve him well in his expanded leadership role across both UK operations and EMEA capital markets strategy.