Sotheby's expands into finland

Sotheby's International Realty has expanded into Finland for the first time with a new Helsinki office.

The luxury real estate brand has built up its network to over 800 offices in over 60 countries around the world. Together, they employ around 18,000 sales associates.

Each office is independently owned and operated. The Helsinki office - Snellman Sotheby's International Realty - is owned by Swedish and Finnish prominent business investors, headed by Robert Charpentier, who signed an exclusive 25-year franchise agreement to develop the Sotheby's International Realty brand throughout the country.

The company will operate under the leadership of Kenneth Katter, who brings over 20 years of relevant high-profile international sales experience to his role of chief executive officer.

Snellman's listings will be marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website, giving the office further international exposure and an assocation with both Sotheby's auction house and the firm's worldwide marketing activity, while Sotheby's will benefit from new referral opportunities and widened reach.

"Expansion into Finland continues the brand's commitment to providing access to the Sotheby's International Realty network's exclusive real estate services in luxury real estate destinations around the world," says Philip White, president and chief executive officer of Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC. 

"Finland is a country widely admired as a European hub of innovation and entrepreneurship where the luxury market continues to grow. Entry into Helsinki offers great opportunity and complements the brand's strong existing presence throughout Sweden and the Baltic States."

According to Charpentier, the plan is to establish the Sotheby's International Realty brand in the capital city, while evaluating other cities on an ongoing basis. The latest opening means that Sotheby's now has over 180 independently owned and operated offices in the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions.

Katter adds: "This company is focused on fulfilling the needs of highly discerning clients searching for extraordinary real estate and requiring a high quality of service. It is vitally important for our team to ensure that we understand our clients' needs and to deliver efficient and personalized services with professionalism and confidentiality.

"Now with the support of the Sotheby's International Realty brand we can bring Finland's extraordinary and unique properties to the far-reaching corners of the world."