Sheffield Haworth Names Managing Director of the Real Estate Practice in the U.S.
July 24, 2026 – Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has named Sun-Sun de Swaan as managing director of the real estate practice in the U.S. She will work closely with Sheffield Haworth’s international real estate teams to build and strengthen the firm’s global search and advisory practice. “We are delighted to welcome Sun-Sun to Sheffield Haworth,” said Alex Cormack, CEO of Sheffield Haworth. “The real estate sector is a priority area for the firm, and Sun-Sun is exactly the leader to further grow our practice.”
“Her deep sector knowledge, her track record in real estate search, and the strength of her relationships across the market will be invaluable as we grow our capabilities in the United States and internationally,” Mr. Cormack added. “The appointment reflects Sheffield Haworth’s commitment to strengthening its real estate coverage, capabilities, and market position in the United States and internationally.”
“Sun-Sun’s arrival is excellent news for our clients across the Americas,” said Julian Bell, global head of banking and markets and head of Americas at Sheffield Haworth. “Real assets is a significant growth opportunity in the region, and her sector knowledge and market relationships will strengthen what we offer from New York. I look forward to working with her as we continue to build the practice here and connect it to our wider global platform.”
Ms. de Swaan brings more than 25 years of real estate experience and works with clients across the sector, including firms involved in investment, development, financing, and property management. She has held roles across a range of functions in the industry, shaping her expertise and her ability to deliver exceptional talent to her clients. Ms. de Swaan joins from McDermott + Bull, where she was a partner in the New York office leading the firm’s real estate practice, and brings more than a decade of experience leading real estate practices in executive search.
Earlier in her career, Ms. de Swaan served as director of acquisitions for Highgate, a real estate investment and management company. Before Highgate, she gained principal-side investment and asset management experience at Hersha Hospitality Trust and Denihan Hospitality Group. She began her career as a senior consultant, providing transaction advisory services to lenders and investors at Ernst & Young Real Estate Group and PKF Consulting.
“I am delighted to join Sheffield Haworth at such an exciting moment for the firm,” said Ms. de Swaan. “The real estate market is changing quickly, and clients need advisers who understand both the sector and the leadership required to succeed in it. I look forward to building the practice from strong foundations and partnering with investors, developers, and operators to help them secure the talent that drives long-term value.”
Related: Sheffield Haworth Partners with Winpe ProClub Mentorship Program
Sheffield Haworth, founded in 1993, is a global executive search, talent advisory, and interim consulting firm. The organization partners with clients around the world to provide tailored solutions for their business and talent needs at the senior management level. The firm has 10 offices throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. It serves clients in the financial services, business and professional services, and technology industries.
Recent Acquisition
Earlier this year, Sheffield Haworth acquired Tony O’Leary’s executive search business, O’Leary and Partners, as part of the firm’s continued investment in Australia and the broader Asia-Pacific region. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. As part of this acquisition, Mr. O’Leary recently joined Sheffield Haworth to lead and expand the firm’s industrials and board practice across Australia and beyond. “We are delighted to welcome Tony to the firm,” said Mr. Cormack. “His extensive experience, strong relationships, and exceptional track record in leadership advisory across Australia make him a significant addition to our team at Sheffield Haworth. This acquisition showcases our commitment to growing our presence in the region and delivering world-class advisory and consultancy services to our clients.”
Mr. O’Leary brings over 25 years of executive search expertise across a broad range of industry sectors, including global financial services, board & CEO, professional services, industrial and consumer markets, education, non-profit and charities. His track record spans senior leadership appointments for some of Australia’s most prominent organizations in both the public and private sectors.
Prior to starting his own firm, Mr. O’Leary served as a partner at Heidrick & Struggles in Australia. Over his career, he has advised boards, chairs, and CEOs on leadership succession and talent strategy, and has successfully appointed many of the country’s leading managing directors, chief executive officers, chief financial officers, and other senior executives across the management suite. Mr. O’Leary also brings deep expertise in board chair and non-executive director search, further strengthening Sheffield Haworth’s capability in this critical area.
Related: Sheffield Haworth Appoints Head of Financial Services and PE Practice in India
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
