CB Richard Ellis’ deputy chairman of Ireland Pat Gunne is leaving to take over as managing director of Stephen Vernon’s Green Property.

Gunne will leave the company at the end of the year to take up his next position in January.

He joined Gunne Commercial in 1997 after the premature death of his father Fintan Gunne, founder of the firm. He was managing director for 10 years before selling the company to CBRE in 2005 where he remained on as a director on the European Board.

Guy Hollis, managing director at CBRE Ireland, said: ‘We are very sorry to see Pat go but we wish him every success with Green and thank him for his magnificent contribution to CB Richard Ellis not only in Ireland but across Europe over the last 10 years.’

Gunne said: ‘I have had the privilege of being part of the great team that grew CB Richard Ellis into Ireland's most successful property services company. This is down to the quality of the people that we have been able to attract and retain, and I have no doubt that this talent will shine through in these challenging times.

‘Whilst in one respect I am sad to be leaving, I am very happy that the exceptional team in place headed up by Guy will continue to develop and grow the company from strength to strength’

Mike Strong, chairman at CBRE EMEA, said: ‘We have known about Pat’s desire to move client side for some time enabling us to appoint Guy Hollis as managing director Ireland. He will nevertheless be missed both professionally and personally and we look forward to future opportunities to continue to work with Pat in his new role.’

Green Property was founded by UK property entrepreneur Stephen Vernon and owns Blanchardstown shopping centre in west Dublin, which is the third-largest shopping area in Ireland after Dublin and Belfast, attracting €812.1m (£644m) of spending annually.