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UK: Vanessa Hale has been confirmed as Real Estate:UK’s first chief executive, ahead of its official launch on 30 April.
Real Estate:UK is a merger of the Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF), British Property Federation, and Investment Property Forum, which is taking place following a unanimous vote last year across the organisations’ memberships to create a single voice for the UK real estate sector.
Hale joins Real Estate:UK from BNP Paribas Real Estate, where she was head of research & strategy, and a member of the UK executive leadership team.
She has more than 20 years of global experience in research and strategy within the built environment, providing advisory services on complex projects across various asset classes such as the Build-to-Rent, office, retail, and industrial sectors. Her significant contributions to the Urban Land Institute include serving as the youngest chair of ULI UK, regularly liaising with government bodies and engaging with media.
The new organisation will represent the whole of the real estate sector, comprising institutional and private investors, property companies, developers, asset owners, managers and advisers.
Its activities will be based around six key pillars: advocacy; research and data; thought leadership and innovation; networking and events; upskilling and training; and standards and guidance.
The board of Real Estate:UK will initially be chaired by Anne Breen, global head of real estate at Aberdeen and current AREF Chair, and will be made up of leading industry representatives nominated by each organisation.
Breen said: “I am delighted to congratulate Vanessa on her appointment. With her breadth of experience and strong industry credibility, she will be a powerful advocate for UK real estate and is ideally placed to lead the new organisation as it brings the industry together with a single, authoritative voice. I’m certain her commitment to sustainability, diversity and supporting the next generation of talent will set a strong and progressive direction for the industry.”
Simon Carter, president of the British Property Federation and chief executive at British Land said: “Vanessa was the standout choice to lead Real Estate:UK. Her compelling vision for the organisation and experience across all asset classes and leading ULI UK will be invaluable as we partner with Government to unlock more capital to invest in our towns and cities. I wish her every success in this important role.”
Hale added: “I am excited to begin this next chapter for the real estate industry as the first appointed chief executive of Real Estate:UK. We have a huge opportunity to create a new single convenor and voice for UK real estate building on the successes of AREF, BPF and IPF and I look forward to working with Anne and the RE:UK Board to bring that vision to reality for the benefit of the sector and all our current and future members.”
She will begin her role as chief executive of Real Estate:UK in July.
Highlights:
- Vanessa Hale has been confirmed as Real Estate:UK’s first chief executive, ahead of its official launch on 30 April
- Hale joins Real Estate:UK from BNP Paribas Real Estate, where she was head of research & strategy, and a member of the UK executive leadership team
- Real Estate:UK is a merger of the Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF), British Property Federation, and Investment Property Forum
- The new organisation will represent the whole of the real estate sector, comprising institutional and private investors, property companies, developers, asset owners, managers and advisers
- Its activities will be based around six key pillars: advocacy; research and data; thought leadership and innovation; networking and events; upskilling and training; and standards and guidance
