In a move to further strengthen its retail real estate services, JLL has hired longtime industry expert Andrew Couch as the new vice president of its retail lease and debt restructuring team.

Couch joins JLL from Boston-based investment firm Gordon Brothers Group, where he served as managing director of real estate and oversaw the firm’s supermarket practice. Prior to that, Couch was Regency Centers’ vice president of investments.

JLL has been making big moves to grow its national retail services at a time when the retail industry is experiencing tumultuous change amid massive store closures and bankruptcies. Last February, the company acquired Huntley, Mullaney, Spargo & Sullivan, a lease and debt restructuring company in Sacramento that focuses on helping retail chains improve profitability and cash flow in response to shifting consumer preferences and industry trends. At the time the firm had restructured more than $12B in lease and debt liabilities for 400 clients, and 10 execs from the firm joined JLL’s team as a result of the deal.

JLL hopes Couch’s expertise will further assist its retail clients looking to reinvigorate their portfolios through restructuring services.

“The JLL platform provides unparalleled expertise and breadth of services to retail clients in all life cycle phases. I feel honored to be a part of this talented team with its strong financial savvy, deep real estate expertise, broad field network, proven systems and client-first focus,” Couch said.