New York, 22nd July 2026 – Sheffield Haworth, a global leader in executive search and consulting, is delighted to announce the appointment of Sun-Sun de Swaan as Managing Director of the Real Estate Practice in the US. Sun-Sun joined the firm in July 2026 and will work closely with Sheffield Haworth’s international real estate teams to build and strengthen the firm’s global search and advisory practice.
The real estate sector is navigating a period of significant change. Shifting capital flows, higher financing costs, evolving occupier demand, and rising expectations around sustainability are reshaping how investors, developers, and operators compete. The quality of leadership has become a decisive factor in performance across investment, development, financing, and property management, and demand for specialist search and advisory has grown accordingly. 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 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. She 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, Sun-Sun served as Director of Acquisitions for Highgate, a leading 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. She holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona. Outside work, she enjoys travelling and cooking.
Alex Cormack, Chief Executive Officer of Sheffield Haworth, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Sun-Sun to 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.”
Julian Bell, Global Head of Banking and Markets and Head of Americas at Sheffield Haworth, said:
“Sun-Sun’s arrival is excellent news for our clients across the Americas. 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.”
Sun-Sun de Swaan commented:
“I am delighted to join Sheffield Haworth at such an exciting moment for the firm. 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.”
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About Sheffield Haworth
Sheffield Haworth is a global consultancy specialising in executive search, change consulting, and strategic advisory. Founded in 1993, the firm has grown to 200 professionals across 14 offices in Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific region. We partner with clients across multiple industries, with a strong track record of delivering people-led transformation for the financial services, real estate, professional services, technology and industrial sectors.
For all media enquiries, please contact:
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Frances Wright
Group Head of Marketing
T. 0203 236 2400
E. f.wright@sheffieldhaworth.com
