Former CBRE UK & Ireland CEO joins LightWork AI

Ciaran Bird, who ran CBRE’s UK & Ireland advisory business for more than twelve years, has joined LightWork AI as a strategic adviser to its founders, to support them with strategy and the development of the company’s leadership team.

Founded in 2024 by Leonard Charlton and Rameen Sorkhabi, LightWork AI is the company behind Felicity, an AI agent that answers calls, emails, WhatsApp messages and portal enquiries for residential sales and lettings agencies.

Ciaran spent 20 years at CBRE, including more than 12 years as chief executive of its UK & Ireland advisory business, which employed around 4,000 people. He announced in 2025 that he would step down from the role.

He commented: “I looked at every AI business I could find in this market before committing, and I spent time with the founders, the team and the investors behind LightWork AI. In my view their service is market leading, and it offers an efficient and exciting new approach.

“Agents win on judgement and service, and they cannot deliver on either if the phone is ringing out.”

AI for agency enquiries

Leonard said Ciaran’s experience across the property sector would be particularly valuable as LightWork AI develops the business: “Ciaran ran one of the largest property businesses in the country and has seen every version of the technology promise, which is why his judgement is so valuable. He will also help us take Felicity to institutional operators in build-to-rent, student and affordable housing.”

Felicity has the capability to qualify leads, book viewings and valuations, triage maintenance issues and record interactions in an agency’s existing systems.

The company says its technology is designed to handle repetitive administrative work and enquiries outside traditional office hours, allowing agents to focus on clients and more complex tasks.