Kipling Group Taps Veteran Michael Case for Top Role Amid Market Shift

TORONTO, ON – January 12, 2026 – Kipling Group, a prominent Canadian-owned property management firm, has appointed commercial real estate veteran Michael Case as its new President and Chief Operating Officer, a move effective immediately. The appointment signals a strategic doubling-down on operational leadership as the company navigates a period of ambitious expansion across a complex and shifting Canadian real estate landscape.

Case, who joined the firm in 2024, will now oversee the entirety of Kipling's day-to-day operations while spearheading strategic initiatives. The promotion places him at the helm of a company managing a vast portfolio of 191 properties, which totals over 28 million square feet of commercial, industrial, and residential space across major Canadian hubs like Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, and Edmonton.

A Veteran Takes the Helm

Michael Case's ascent to the presidency comes after a swift and impactful tenure at Kipling. His promotion from within is a strong vote of confidence from the company's leadership, underscoring a strategy of cultivating internal talent for critical roles. Richard Geurts, CEO of Kipling Group, expressed this sentiment in the official announcement.

"Michael has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment since joining Kipling," said Geurts. "His appointment reflects the confidence we have in his ability to guide our operations, grow our presence in key markets, and continue delivering meaningful results for our clients, tenants and residents."

This confidence is built on a distinguished 23-year career. Before his time at Kipling, Case honed his expertise in senior leadership positions at some of the world's leading real estate firms. He served as a Managing Director and Executive Vice President at CBRE Canada, where he was tasked with leading the Toronto Downtown office and enhancing its tenant representation and agency leasing services. Prior to that, he held the role of Managing Director of office leasing at JLL. This extensive background in the competitive trenches of commercial office leasing, particularly within the crucial Greater Toronto Area, provides him with a granular understanding of market dynamics, tenant needs, and asset optimization—skills that are directly applicable to Kipling’s diverse portfolio.

Navigating a Shifting Canadian Property Market

Case takes this expanded role at a pivotal moment for Canada's property sector. The market in 2025 was a story of regional divergence and cautious optimism, with a more significant rebound widely anticipated for 2026. Kipling's strategy under Case will need to be agile to capitalize on these trends.

The residential sector, a key area of growth for Kipling, is facing a mixed outlook. While national home sales saw a slight decline in 2025, forecasts for 2026 predict a robust rebound, potentially reaching levels not seen since 2021. However, this recovery is not uniform. Affordability challenges continue to plague major markets in Ontario and British Columbia, with Toronto and Vancouver expected to see continued price softness. In contrast, markets in the Prairies and Quebec, where Kipling has a significant presence, are showing more resilience, supported by balanced supply-demand conditions. The firm’s recent addition of 1,605 residential units in 2025 positions it to navigate these regional nuances.

On the commercial front, the landscape is equally complex. The market is undergoing what analysts call a "quiet recovery." The industrial property class remains a star performer, while "essential retail" like grocery-anchored centers shows strong rental growth. The office sector, Case’s traditional area of expertise, is experiencing a nuanced revival. While high vacancy rates persist in some areas, positive net absorption was recorded in 2025, driven by a flight to quality in Class A buildings and a gradual return to the office. Case's deep experience at CBRE and JLL will be invaluable in optimizing Kipling's commercial assets, particularly in navigating the challenges and opportunities within the evolving office space.

Kipling's Ambitious Growth Trajectory

The appointment is not just about navigating the market; it's about leading an aggressive growth strategy. Kipling Group has demonstrated significant momentum, positioning itself as one of Canada's largest independent full-service property management firms. In 2025 alone, the company onboarded 43 new properties, adding over 2.6 million square feet of commercial space to its portfolio in a single year.

This expansion places Kipling in a highly competitive arena, contending with global giants like Colliers International and large national players such as FirstService Corporation and BentallGreenOak. The firm’s identity as a Canadian-owned, independent manager is a key part of its value proposition, emphasizing a hands-on approach and a mission to deliver "profitable, well-managed investments through trust, integrity, professionalism, and innovation."

Case's mandate is to build on this momentum. His role will involve not only identifying new properties for acquisition but also ensuring that the firm's operational infrastructure can scale effectively to maintain service quality. This involves integrating new assets smoothly, leveraging technology for efficiency, and upholding the company's commitment to its ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) program, which was launched in 2021 to embed sustainability and community focus into its operations.

His leadership will be instrumental in translating Kipling’s ambitious growth targets into tangible results, ensuring the firm can compete and thrive against larger, publicly-traded competitors by focusing on its core strengths of agility and client-centric service. The move to elevate an operational leader with deep market expertise to the presidency underscores that for Kipling, smart, sustainable growth and operational excellence are two sides of the same coin. His leadership will be critical in navigating these complexities, aiming to solidify Kipling's position as a leader in Canada's demanding property management sector.