Avison Young promotes Rick Jenkins to chief financial officer

Avison Young, a Toronto-headquartered commercial real estate services firm, has promoted Rick Jenkins to chief financial officer.

Based in the firm’s Chicago office, Jenkins has served as chief accounting officer since 2019 and as global controller since 2016.

Jenkins brings more than 20 years of accounting, finance, and consulting experience to his new role as CFO. He will oversee finance, accounting, budgeting and reporting, bank relations, risk management, joint ventures, and tax, as well as financial aspects of acquisitions, divestitures, and other transactions.

“As a firm powered by people, we look for the best and the best was already developed within. Rick brings nearly a decade of Avison Young-specific expertise and I have every confidence that he will transition smoothly into his expanded role as CFO,” said Mark Rose, chair and CEO, Avison Young. “This past year, Rick has already helped steer the firm through a momentous next chapter, helping finalize a comprehensive financial recapitalization that reinforces our financial foundation, significantly de-levers our balance sheet, and positions us with a sustainable go-forward capital structure.”

Before Avison Young, Jenkins was an SVP and Americas region finance director at JLL. He also previously worked in the performance improvement practice of EY and the transaction services practice of PwC.

Jenkins has an MBA from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and HR management from Miami University, and is a certified public accountant.

“This is a particularly exciting time to step into the role of CFO, having recently completed the recapitalization that positions us for future growth to best serve our clients and the firm,” said Jenkins. “I look forward to partnering with the senior management team to provide financial leadership that supports strategic growth and meets financial operating objectives.”

Avison Young has over 5,000 real estate professionals across 100+ offices in 18 countries. The firm provides investment sales, leasing, management, financing, and advisory services to clients in the office, retail, industrial, multi-family, and hospitality sectors.