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UK: BTR developer and operator Get Living has appointed Kate Freer as CEO with effect from autumn 2026.
She replaces long-standing CEO Rick de Blaby, who announced at the end of last year that he was stepping down to pursue a non-executive career.
Freer, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the sector, most recently worked at Realstar for more than 11 years where she helped to build the UK multi-family platform and Uncle brand. Prior to that, she spent 10 years at Blackstone.
Gertjan van der Baan will fulfil the position of interim CEO between de Blaby’s departure at the end of May and Freer joining the company. Gertjan was CEO of residential rental company Vesteda from 2014 to 2024 and has been employed as a senior adviser since the start of the year.
Jeremy Helsby, chairman of Get Living, said: “We are delighted to welcome Kate to Get Living at an important time in our growth strategy and we all very much look forward to working with her in furthering the continued growth of the business. I would also like to say a huge thank you to Rick de Blaby, our out-going CEO. During Rick’s nine-year tenure, initially as chairman and subsequently as CEO, he has presided over the growth and expansion of Get Living into the market leader it is today. We wish Rick every happiness in his non-executive career.”
De Blaby added: “Working with world class investors and their representatives, with exceptional specialists in every field and then with the passion and commitment of everyone in the Get Living team, has always felt truly purposeful. Building Get Living into what it now is has been a huge team effort. I will genuinely miss the companionship of everyone, many of whom I count as good friends. I look forward to watching Get Living fulfil its full potential and wish Kate every success as she brings her own ideas and drive to the next chapter.”
Get Living has a portfolio of more than 6,200 homes across seven neighbourhoods in England.
Highlights:
- BTR developer and operator Get Living has appointed Kate Freer as CEO with effect from autumn 2026
- She replaces long-standing CEO Rick de Blaby, who is stepping down to pursue a non-executive caree
- Freer most recently worked at Realstar for more than 11 years, and has also worked for 10 years at Blackstone
