Savills has appointed Marcello Zanfi as Head of High Street Leasing in Italy. Starting 16 September 2026, he will be based in the Milan office.
In his new role, Zanfi will lead Savills High Street Leasing business across Italy, further strengthening the firm’s ability to provide tailored, specialist advice to retailers, landlords and investors. He will also work closely with Savills international Global Luxury Retail team and leverage the firm’s extensive global network spanning the world’s key retail markets.
With more than 20 years of experience in retail real estate, Zanfi joins Savills after 16 years at CBRE, where he held increasingly senior positions within the retail advisory division. Throughout his career, he has supported numerous domestic and international retailers in the execution of their growth strategies, developing extensive expertise in leasing advisory, tenant-landlord negotiations and the market dynamics shaping the future of the retail sector.

His appointment marks another milestone in the ongoing expansion of Savills Retail business, following the recent appointments of Riccardo Crepaldi as Head of Retail Management and Amanda Vissia as Director, Global Luxury Retail. The addition of Zanfi underscores Savills commitment to investing in top industry talent, strengthening its market position and enhancing its ability to meet the needs of an increasingly competitive and international marketplace. Combining expertise across High Street Leasing and Luxury Retail further broadens Savills advisory capabilities for retailers, landlords, investors and global brands.

Davide Dalmiglio, CEO of Savills Italy, says: “Italy’s leading shopping streets have evolved into sophisticated ecosystems where brand identity, customer experience and real estate value are closely interconnected. Savills deep understanding of the premium, high-end and luxury sectors enables us to anticipate shifts in consumer behaviour and translate them into effective location, positioning and asset enhancement strategies. Marcello’s arrival adds further momentum to the growth of our Retail team. His specialist expertise, combined with an international perspective, will strengthen our ability to create meaningful connections between brands, property owners and investors, while delivering innovative, high-value solutions to our clients."

Marcello Zanfi, Head of High Street Leasing, Savills Italy, comments: "The retail market is undergoing significant transformation, driven by retailers becoming increasingly selective in their expansion and positioning strategies, growing market polarisation, and the need for property owners to identify occupiers that best align with their investment objectives. Joining Savills represents an exciting professional opportunity, and I am delighted to contribute to the development of the High Street Leasing business. I look forward to working alongside a highly experienced team committed to supporting clients with increasingly innovative, integrated solutions that create long-term value."

Larry Brennan, Head of European Retail Agency at Savills, adds: “Italy remains one of the most influential retail markets in Europe. Marcello’s appointment further strengthens our ability to provide the bespoke, on-the-ground advice that global brands require when entering, expanding or refining their presence in the market. His expertise, relationships and deep understanding of Italy’s retail landscape will complement our wider European platform, helping clients navigate opportunities across borders while benefiting from specialist local insight.”