32 articles
Lichfields, a leading planning and development consultancy, has promoted 14 staff across its offices in Cardiff, London, Manchester, and Newcastle. Notably, Jennifer Woods has been elevated to Planning Director, focusing on education-led projects, further enhancing Lichfields’ commitment to the UK education sector.
Downing has appointed Jonathan Tizard as its inaugural Chief Technology Officer to spearhead its digital transformation and innovation strategy. Tizard brings extensive experience from his previous roles at Vita Group, Boohoo, and LadBible, aiming to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience across the organisation.
Colby River has appointed Matt James as Head of Operations and Seth Clifford-Banks as Senior Asset Manager to enhance its student living portfolio. With over 25 years of experience, they aim to create an exceptional living experience in purpose-built student accommodation across the UK.
Manchester’s Graphene Funding, previously known as Graphene Commercial Finance, has unveiled a rebranding alongside the appointment of David Stokoe as Senior Relationship Director. With over 30 years of lending expertise, Stokoe aims to enhance Graphene’s position in the competitive funding landscape.
Architecture practice Buttress has made significant strides by expanding its leadership team and conservation capabilities, promoting Grant Prescott and Jenna Johnston to Associate Directors and welcoming Toby Cope as Marketing Director. These changes coincide with Buttress’s first anniversary as a fully employee-owned business.
McAleer & Rushe has announced the promotion of six senior leaders as part of its strategy to bolster management amidst ongoing growth. The newly appointed Directors will enhance the company’s capabilities in delivering high-quality developments across the UK and Ireland.
Jason Hardman has announced his departure from CBRE after a remarkable 20-year tenure, including his recent role as Head of UK Living Sector. His contributions have been pivotal in driving growth across CBRE’s residential business, particularly in the PBSA market.
Lambert Smith Hampton has introduced a dedicated national Living Investment team to enhance its focus on the UK’s living sectors. This strategic move aims to bolster investment advice and support clients in navigating opportunities across various living asset classes.
Bidwells has appointed Scott Cabot as its new Head of Residential Research, bringing over 12 years of experience from CBRE. His role will focus on strategic insight within the UK residential sector, particularly in relation to the burgeoning innovation economy.
Long Harbour has appointed Véronique Medcalf as Group Human Resources Director, bringing valuable experience from her previous role at Cromwell Property Group. This strategic recruitment aims to strengthen the company’s people strategy and support its expanding operations in the UK student accommodation sector.
Lismore Real Estate Advisors reveals that purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) transactions led the Scottish investment market in Q2 2026, capturing 67% of total deal volume. Despite a challenging market, investor interest remains strong, particularly for prime assets.
Knight Frank welcomes Claire Blacklock as an Associate in its Property & Asset Management team, enhancing its tech-driven service for clients in the UK PBSA sector. With over 15 years of experience, Blacklock aims to optimise asset performance and enrich occupier experience.
Urban Partners has announced the appointment of Dr. Robert Habeck, Germany’s former Vice Chancellor, as a Senior Advisor, effective 1 August. This strategic move aims to enhance Urban Partners’ research initiatives in urban transformation and affordable housing, shaping future urban development.
Global Student Accommodation (GSA) has announced that Kinetic Capital will join its ranks as the new private credit division. This strategic merger enhances GSA’s capital solutions and positions it as a leader in the UK and European PBSA markets, with a focus on expanding investor relationships.
Global Student Accommodation (GSA) has launched its Investor Solutions division, aimed at enhancing capital-raising initiatives across global markets. Led by Paddy Allen, this division seeks to foster strong client relationships and expand GSA’s investment offerings in the PBSA sector.
BNP Paribas Asset Management has appointed Karim Malak as CEO of The Boost Society, marking a significant step in its European expansion plans. With over 26 years of experience, Malak aims to strengthen the company’s presence in the UK PBSA market and drive growth towards €3bn in assets.
Muse has announced the appointment of Max King as Director of Project Management within its Yorkshire and Northeast team. With extensive experience in housing and regeneration, King aims to drive impactful placemaking projects across the region.
RH Consulting has appointed Matthew Robinson as a Senior Consultant, enhancing its expertise in the purpose-built student accommodation sector. With over 14 years of experience, including a notable tenure at Hello Student, Robinson is set to drive operational excellence and improve client outcomes.
Orla Living, a pan-European operator within the PBSA market, has appointed Mauro Scolamiero as its Head of Marketing. With a strategic background from Yugo, Mauro aims to enhance the resident experience across Europe as Orla aggressively expands its student accommodation presence.
VerbaFlo has appointed Suraiya Comunello as Fractional Chief Marketing Officer, enhancing its focus on customer engagement within the UK’s purpose-built student accommodation sector. With over 12 years of experience, Comunello is set to drive brand strategy and growth as the company expands its global presence.
CPP Investments has been honoured with the Residential Investment Strategy award at the IPE Real Estate Global Awards, which featured over 160 entries from 12 countries. This accolade underscores CPP’s commitment to diversifying its investments across various sectors, including purpose-built student accommodation.
Knight Frank has appointed Tim Robinson as the new UK Managing Partner, succeeding Stephen Clifton in April 2027. With over 30 years at the firm, Tim aims to drive strategic direction while continuing to evolve Knight Frank’s strong market presence in the UK.
Jasper Sanders + Partners has announced the promotion of Nathalie Kenning to Associate and the appointment of Josie Robertson as a Junior Designer. Both women bring fresh perspectives and robust design talent, contributing to the studio’s commitment to impactful design in the UK PBSA sector.
Derwent London has announced the appointment of Jonathan Murphy as its new Chief Executive, effective from 1 September 2026. With extensive experience in real estate and capital markets, Murphy’s leadership is expected to enhance the company’s growth and value creation.
Kajima Properties Europe has appointed Ian Patillo as Senior Development Manager, enhancing its development capabilities in London. This strategic move aligns with the company’s growth within the UK Build to Rent market, which is rapidly evolving with new opportunities in sustainability and technology.
Tribera Group has announced the appointment of Maxilimian Herbst as its new Managing Director, aiming to bolster growth in the rapidly evolving UK Build to Rent market. This change comes at a pivotal time as industry experts assess emerging trends in sustainability and tenant experience.
Delancey has appointed Emma Murray as the new Director of Capital Strategies, aimed at bolstering its growth within the rapidly evolving UK Build to Rent market. This strategic move comes as the sector witnesses significant developments and investment opportunities, particularly in sustainability and tenant experience.
Knight Frank has strengthened its living sectors teams with key appointments in the PBSA space, reflecting the growing demand for purpose-built student accommodation in the UK. This strategic move aligns with the government’s housing targets, offering significant opportunities for growth in the sector.
Watkin Jones has appointed three senior professionals to its investment team following a notable decline in its PBSA revenues. These strategic additions aim to strengthen relationships with universities and optimise the performance of the company’s portfolio in the competitive UK student accommodation market.
The British Property Federation has launched a Purpose-Built Student Accommodation Board to enhance the UK market. This board aims to address sustainability, regulatory challenges, and improve the student experience by uniting key stakeholders in the sector.
Savills has appointed William Davies from Allsop as co-head of PBSA valuations, alongside Rachel Coates. With over 15 years of experience, Davies will focus on enhancing Savills’ offerings in the flourishing UK PBSA market, which has become the preferred investment choice for 62% of investors.
Explore the latest job opportunities for surveyors within London’s Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) sector. With competitive salaries and various specialisations, this article highlights the growing demand for skilled professionals in this thriving industry.
