News 31082021

Chris has over 15 years of experience in development management and construction management.  His combined experience in both fields provides him with a unique ability to evaluate and manage projects from two perspectives and allows him to effectively assess projects in their early stages and steer them toward success. With a leveled approach to management and wide-ranging experience, Chris excels working with multiple stakeholders.

Chris has hands-on experience working through all phases of development and construction, including land acquisition, design, pre-construction services, permitting, tendering, construction, occupancy and commissioning.  He is highly skilled in managing and assembling external consulting professionals and contractors, as well as navigating regulatory and permitting processes. Through these processes, Chris works closely with project management, property management and leasing professionals to ensure that the client’s lifecycle, building performance and revenue targets are being realized.

In his career, Chris has assembled a diverse portfolio of project experience. This includes major multi-phase bare land development, mid- and low-rise office development, industrial development, retail development, institutional construction and tenant improvement and fit out.  He is a passionate team builder and place maker with strong relationships in the industry.

As VP People Services for North America, Kerris provides senior HR leadership to support all business units across the US and Canada, approximately 7000+ professionals. She is responsible for leading the North American People Services team of more than 80 professionals, overseeing all aspects of talent management.  Prior to this, Kerris was the Director of Talent Acquisition for North America leading all Talent Acquisition activity for the region.  She coached, mentored and managed a high performing team of 18 Talent Acquisition specialists with a focus on strategic business partnerships, candidate experience excellence, employment brand championship, diversity & inclusion and continuous process improvement. 

Before joining Colliers in 2017, Kerris worked at Catalyst Paper and was HR business partner to all corporate staff and the executive leadership team in Canada and the USA, including the Distribution Centres, Finance, Sales & Marketing, Customer Solutions, Sourcing & Technical Services, HR and Corporate Services which involved regular visits to mill and manufacturing operations and offices in BC, Maine, Wisconsin and Ohio.  In addition she was responsible for leading a team of 3 talent acquisition specialists in recruiting and enabling the selection of operations, trades, technical, professional, managerial and executive talent across the company in both the US and Canada – approximately 2,600 permanent staff (80% hourly & unionised).

Kerris' career has spanned two continents.  Prior to relocating to Canada from the UK 9 years ago, she had a successful career in recruitment, working for a range of small boutique, large international, and self-owned search firms specialising in senior level executive search.