Top 20 Under 40: CBRE Brisbane managing director Chris Butters

Forging success from adversity has been key to Chris Butters’ 13-year career in the property industry, from driving some of Queensland’s biggest leasing deals to heading up CBRE Queensland’s 250-strong Brisbane office.

Over a 13-year career in the property industry Chris Butters has negotiated leasing deals with some of the biggest names in Australian business.

But for him, while the deal is the end result of long hours, it’s really all about team work.

“I love the property industry. The camaraderie of working with a big group of people towards common goals. That’s what motivates and energises me,” he says.

The Brisbane Grammar old boy, who has been CBRE’s Queensland state director of Advisory & Transaction Services – Office Leasing for almost three years, now also heads up the 250-strong Brisbane office.

CBRE Brisbane boss Chris Butters. Picture: Annette Dew

He says his new role has given him the chance to learn more about the business.

Now an emerging world city Butters says with the multibillion-dollar infrastructure rollout Brisbane is well and truly on the map for national and global businesses.

Over his career he has completed some of the biggest leasing deals in the Brisbane CBD and in the past year struck a 5000sq m sublease to State Government at 400 George St.

But it’s not all been clear sailing.

Butters started in the property industry during the boom times just before the global financial crisis and after it hit he had to tackle historically high vacancy rates.

“Ultimately through the GFC we still had strong growth from the resources sector and the State Government which masked the pain of the Brisbane office market,” he says.

“The real downturn happened when the resources sector and the State Government slowed down and decamped out of office accommodation at a rapid pace in 2011-12,” Butters says.

“I think my youth has been to my advantage. Having a strong level of energy and optimism has allowed me to be positive, particularly through the tough times.”