BPF advancing merger with AREF and IPF to create new representative body to be called Real Estate: UK Simon Carter, Chief Executive at British Land, today becomes President of the British Property Federation (BPF), succeeding Jessica Hardman, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of Aboria Capital, who served as BPF President from July 2024.  Simon has been a member of the Board of British Land since 2018, first as Chief Financial Officer and as Chief Executive since 2020, where he oversees a diverse portfolio including mixed-use London campuses, retail parks and urban logistics, as well as the regeneration of a 53-acre site at Canada Water. He was previously Chief Financial Officer of Logicor and prior to that Finance Director of Quintain. Simon, who has been a BPF Board Member since 2023, will work closely with BPF Vice President Jo Allen (Chief Executive of Frogmore) and Melanie Leech, BPF Chief Executive, to champion the role of real estate in driving economic growth and regeneration and lead engagement with government to shape policy that supports long-term investment. Simon’s appointment also comes at a pivotal moment as the BPF, the Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF) and the Investment Property Forum (IPF) prepare to ask their members to vote on a proposal to merge and create a new representative body for the industry. It is announced today that the new organisation would be named Real Estate: UK (RE:UK). Simon Carter, Chief Executive at British Land and BPF President, said: “It is a privilege to take on the role of President of the British Property Federation. Our industry plays a vital role in shaping places and supporting communities across the country, and makes an enormous contribution to the UK economy in creating jobs, unlocking investment and enabling innovation. “Under Jessica’s leadership the BPF has seen significant success in securing crucial policy interventions and support that will unlock investment into UK real estate. I look forward to building on that strong foundation to ensure the Government fully harnesses the power of our sector. “I hope that our members will endorse our vision to build an even more powerful new industry body in RE:UK, and look forward to taking the baton from Jessica to oversee that transition during my Presidency.” Melanie Leech, Chief Executive, British Property Federation, said: “This is a critical time for our industry as we work with Government to deliver the homes, workspaces and infrastructure needed to reboot the economy and drive growth. “Simon’s extensive experience and knowledge across finance and development will be invaluable as we manage the twin challenges of helping to shape policy that will unlock investment and accelerate delivery, and – if our members agree – transitioning to a new organisation building on the strengths of the BPF, AREF and IPF. “I would also like to thank Jessica for her dedication and outstanding leadership over the past year as we have developed and refined our plans for a new body that will represent the full breadth of the real estate sector and amplify our voice.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Offsite housing specialist TALO has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Darren Pace as its new Head of Operations. He joins TALO as part of its continued expansion to further accelerate the delivery of ultra-low energy housing across the UK. His role is to enhance the client journey post-planning, including offsite manufacturing and site installation. Darren brings around 30 years of experience to his new role, having worked in both timber-framed construction and MMC for a number of industry leaders. Most recently, he led the construction of luxury homes in the Cotswolds for a global developer, which used timber offsite technology. At TALO, Darren will lead all aspects of project delivery, working closely with developer clients and housebuilders, their design teams, and TALO’s offsite manufacturing and logistics operations to ensure seamless project delivery to exceptional standards. Bengt Magnussen, Commercial Director at TALO: “Darren’s deep operational knowledge of all types of housing delivery, together with his passion for improving outcomes, is exactly what we need to help scale TALO’s impact. With his project leadership and a series of other new appointments, we are strengthening the entire product lifecycle – from design to delivery – and ensuring our clients benefit from an integrated, high-quality experience that lends itself very well to repeat business.” Darren Pace, Head of Operations at TALO: “TALO is doing something genuinely different. I have worked extensively with a number of different timber-framed systems for three decades, and the standard way of doing things has barely changed in that time. The housebuilding industry still uses wet timber and so has to accept shrinkage, cracking and weather-related delays. But that shouldn’t be the norm. TALO’s entirely dry, high-performance system avoids all of that. It is about speed, consistency, and quality. I am excited to help our clients deliver better homes, more quickly – ultra-low energy homes that exceed Passivhaus standards, and that aren’t handed over with snag lists. I also feel passionately about TALO’s wider vision to eradicate fuel poverty.” TALO’s panelised timber superstructure is currently manufactured in Finland using slow grown, dry Nordic timber. The system arrives on site complete with insulation, triple glazing, and internal plaster boarding. This dry, closed-panel solution ensures homes are watertight within days – not weeks – enabling faster fitout and higher performance for air tightness and insulation. As Head of Operations, Darren will work closely with TALO’s commercial and design teams to ensure a seamless transition from project inception to handover. Together, they will give housebuilding clients a streamlined pathway to achieve better quality, ultra-low energy housing with less risk, cost efficiency, fewer trades on site, shorter build times, faster return on investment and earlier occupation. TALO partners with residential developers, housebuilders and architects to deliver homes that radically exceed UK Building Regulations and the new Future Homes Standard – at no cost premium. Applications include homes for market sale, private rent, shared ownership and affordable housing. TALO’s solutions for low rise housing include the highly engineered timber superstructure, energy package and standardised foundations to enhance build quality, and deliver outstanding energy performance, verified by independent testing. For more information about TALO’s timber offsite solutions for housebuilders and property developers, see www.talo.co.uk or email hello@talo.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Be First, the regeneration delivery agency for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, has appointed Andrew Savege as its new Development Director. Andrew joins from Wates Residential, where he played a key role in delivering major regeneration projects and forming long-term public-private partnerships. With over two decades of experience and more than £5 billion of investment negotiated, Andrew has worked with local authorities, developers, NHS trusts, and universities to unlock complex housing and mixed-use schemes. As Development Director at Be First, he will lead the acceleration of new home development and unlock strategic opportunities across the borough. Andrew Savege said: “I’m excited to be joining Be First, one of the UK’s most unique regeneration and development companies. The team’s ambition and purpose are clear, and I’m looking forward to supporting the borough’s long-term vision to deliver much-needed homes, social value, and investment for inclusive growth.” Caroline Harper, Interim Managing Director at Be First, added: “Andrew’s arrival will bring significant expertise and refreshed energy to our Development team at a critical time. His experience in building strong partnerships and getting projects off the ground will be invaluable as we work to deliver for the borough and London.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Victoria Hills, who has led the RTPI for nearly eight years, is to step down from her post as CEO. She will be moving on to take up the role of CEO at the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Victoria will remain in post until later in the year to allow for a smooth transition while the Board of Trustees begins a recruitment process for her replacement. Chair of the Royal Town Planning Institute Meeta Kaur said: “After nearly 8 years as chief executive at RTPI the positive impact Victoria has had is clear for all to see. The Institute has become the voice of planners to Government and the membership has grown steadily as a result. Her leadership through the pandemic provided a steady hand not only for the organisation but the membership at large. The rate of delivery against the corporate strategy has been phenomenal and the results of that are to everyone’s benefit. “The Board of Trustees has appreciated the clear-eyed support she has provided and has been incredibly pleased to see the institute go from strength to strength under her leadership. “The Chartered Institute of Building is lucky to have appointed such a well-regarded and influential chief executive and Victoria will be much missed by all at the RTPI. “I would like to take this opportunity to assure staff and members that despite Victoria’s departure, the RTPI is on firm foundations and well equipped for the future. The Senior Executive Team is well established and clear on the organisation’s strategic direction. Trustees will shortly commence a recruitment process for a new chief executive and we will keep staff and members appraised throughout.” RTPI Chief Executive Officer, Victoria Hills, said: “It has been an absolute honour to be the CEO of the RTPI, not only because of the important place planning holds for our communities, but also because it is my own membership body. I could not possibly have imagined as a student member in the 1990s when I was going through my APC that I would one day have the opportunity to take the helm of the organisation. “During my time here we have seen planning rise further and further up the political agenda, both domestically and internationally, and the RTPI has been able to provide a voice for our 27,000 members throughout that process. I am so proud of everything we have collectively achieved. I leave the RTPI in a position of strength at an incredibly exciting time for the planning profession. “As I prepare to move forward onto my next chapter, I look back over the last seven years with a sense of pride that I have been able to play my part in elevating the status of planning professionals in the built environment sector. We need planners for the greater good of society, and it’s been an honour to be a part of acknowledging and amplifying their important role.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Top 10 UK homebuilder Keepmoat has announced the promotion of Divisional Chairman, Ian Hoad, to the role of Chief Executive Officer. Ian succeeds Tim Beale, who has stepped down as Chief Executive following eight years with the business. Ian initially joined Keepmoat in 1996, staying with the business for five years. He then gained valuable industry experience with other major housebuilders before rejoining Keepmoat in 2009 fulfilling a number of different roles including Technical Director and Regional Managing Director. He was promoted to the role of Divisional Chairman in 2019. He will officially take up his role as CEO on the 1st July. Tim Beale said: “After careful consideration, I have taken the decision that the time is right for me to step down as CEO. I am delighted that the board has appointed Ian Hoad, Divisional Chairman for Scotland, the North East, and Yorkshire East to be my successor. I am confident that under his leadership the business will continue to go from strength to strength. I will remain with the business over the coming months to ensure a seamless transition.” Commenting on his promotion Ian said “I am incredibly proud to be given this opportunity to lead the Keepmoat business and steer it through its exciting next stage of growth and development. Our differentiated Partnership model has proven to be resilient with our focus on first time buyers and brownfield developments and is extremely well positioned to deliver on that significant future growth. I look forward to continuing to work with our public and private sector partners and Keepmoat’s highly capable management team, to deliver the high-quality multi-tenure homes and communities that the country so desperately needs. I would like to thank Tim and the Board for their support and for entrusting me with the leadership of Keepmoat.” Paul Golding, Managing Partner at Aermont, added: “First and foremost, I would like to thank Tim for his outstanding leadership of Keepmoat over the past eight years. He has been an exemplary CEO, transforming and developing the business and its partnership model. Tim informed the board of his decision to step down over a year ago, enabling us to conduct an extensive external and internal search to find his successor. The conclusion of this is the internal appointment of Ian Hoad as Keepmoat’s CEO. Ian has continually impressed us with his operational expertise, his focus on delivering for all stakeholders and his energy and passion for the business. We look forward to working with Ian as we continue to grow the business and deliver much needed housing.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

National engineering consultancy Rodgers Leask has seen the return of Tom Nunn to its Derby office, where he rejoins the business as principal engineer, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a renewed drive to support development across the Midlands. Tom began his engineering career with Rodgers Leask in 2004, joining the company after completing his apprenticeship. Spending over a decade at the company, he became a trusted member of the civil engineering team, with significant contributions to residential project delivery. After leaving in 2017 to pursue different opportunities and build on the strong foundation of knowledge developed during his time at Rodgers Leask, Tom has now returned with new perspectives and a desire to contribute to the continued success of the Derby office. His return signals a significant boost to Rodgers Leask’s residential sector offering in the region and reinforces its commitment to growing the Derby base with experienced, homegrown talent. Director Kriston Harvey mentored Tom in the early stages of his career. He said: “Welcoming Tom back to Rodgers Leask as a principal engineer is not only a proud moment but also a strategic one. His expertise in residential development, combined with his values and standards, make him an ideal fit for our growing team and project pipeline. He knows the business, understands the region, and is already adding value to our projects and clients.” Tom said: “It is fantastic to be back at Rodgers Leask, returning after all these years feels like the natural step. I’m excited to work alongside a brilliant team and play a key role in developing the Derby office’s residential capabilities further. There’s a lot of momentum here, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.” Tom’s appointment highlights Rodgers Leask’s focus on nurturing long-term relationships and investing in experienced engineers, who share a passion for delivering innovative, practical solutions. His homecoming strengthens the Derby office at a time of growth and opportunity, helping to drive the consultancy’s commitment to delivering project excellence across the Midlands. For more information on Rodgers Leask, visit www.rodgersleask.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Contractor Clegg Construction has strengthened its team with the appointment of a new business development manager. Amy Fullaway has more than five years of business development experience in the construction sector and associated industries, plus a background in marketing and bid coordination. She joins the business development team at Clegg Construction at a time when the company has a growing order book, with exciting schemes in the pipeline and projects under way across the Midlands, East Anglia and the North. Her role will involve developing new opportunities and strengthening relationships with existing clients. Pre-construction director Christian White said: “The Clegg Construction team welcomes Amy to the business. She brings with her several years of experience in both business development and marketing, which will help us to achieve our future goals.” Amy, who is originally from Derbyshire, has a Business and Management BSc Hons degree from the University of Derby. She said: “Joining Clegg Construction is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a company with such a strong reputation in the industry. I look forward to collaborating with the team to drive innovation and explore new business avenues.” With its headquarters in the Lace Market, Nottingham, Clegg Construction is a Midlands, East Anglia, and Yorkshire-based construction firm specialising in the delivery of public and private sector projects. It was founded in the 1930s and now works across all specialities including healthcare, education and residential. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Hamilton (Building Contractors), one of the largest and longest-standing specialist facade contractors in the UK has appointed Martin Walker BSc (Hons), MCIOB as Regional Director for the South as the company continues a period of exceptional growth. Martin brings over 20 years of experience and a proven track record in delivering high-value, complex construction projects across the UK for industry giants including Balfour Beatty and Mulalley. A Chartered Construction Manager and a respected member of the Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB), Martin is well known for his operational excellence and strategic insight. In late 2024, he became one of the first six construction professionals to complete the Chartered Institute of Building’s (CIOB) Principal Contractor Competency Scheme. This sets a new benchmark for the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours expected of Principal Contractors. Martin’s appointment, which will see him based at the company’s new Dartford office, comes during an incredible period of growth for Hamilton with turnover set to double to over £50m in 2025. In line with this expansion,15 new team members have joined the company this year alone, strengthening both the health and safety and management teams. Commenting on his appointment Martin Walker said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Hamilton at such an important time in the company’s journey. I have worked with the team on a wide range of previous projects and the Hamilton name is synonymous with quality. “There is a strong, values-led culture with a clear commitment to quality, people and delivery and I am looking forward to playing a key role in helping to shape and support the company’s continued growth. “The construction industry on the whole is navigating a challenging landscape at the moment with rising costs, skill shortages and constantly evolving regulations creating pressures across the sector. “However, these challenges also present opportunities and Hamilton is perfectly placed to leverage its expertise and collaborative approach to deliver safe, high-quality projects that meet the demands of today’s market and build resilience for the future.” Daniel Mackie, Director at Hamilton, added: “Martin is the perfect addition to our growing team and his appointment reflects our commitment to investing in outstanding talent as we grow. His depth of experience, technical expertise and leadership approach make him the ideal candidate to drive our operations in the South. “Wtih many major projects underway in his region and more set to come online in the coming months his experience will be instrumental in ensuring we continue to deliver excellence for our clients while scaling sustainably and strategically.” Hamilton is currently delivering a wide range of high-profile schemes including façade and refurbishment works at Burley Street in Leeds, extensive external upgrades at Lewisham Park Towers in London and a large-scale social housing retrofit programme in Hull. These projects reflect Hamilton’s reputation for delivering safety-led and sustainability-focused solutions in partnership with leading contractors and public sector clients. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Award-winning housebuilder, The Hill Group, has made two senior sales appointments as part of its ongoing expansion, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality homes across key regions. Eloise Solari joins as Head of Sales for London and Sarah Boyce takes on the role of Head of Sales for the South West and Southern divisions. Their appointments reflect Hill’s strategic growth in these regions, as the company continues to expand its development pipeline. Eloise and Sarah bring extensive experience in residential sales and a deep understanding of their respective markets. Eloise’s career has focused on central London with previous roles at Ballymore, Taylor Wimpey Central London and Galliard Homes where she led the sales team at flagship developments. Her expertise will be instrumental in shaping Hill’s sales strategies for its major London developments, including Kew Bridge Rise, Lampton Parkside, North Gate Park and Dagenham Green. Additionally, she brings valuable experience in partnership work and has excellent relationships with agents. Sarah joins Hill at a pivotal time for its South West expansion, with Bristol and its surrounding areas being a core focus. She spent twenty years with Berkeley Group, rising to Sales and Marketing Director for the Oxford and Chiltern division. Sarah has also held roles at Redrow Thames Valley, HarperCrewe, and Crest Nicholson in Bristol. The South West is a key strategic region for Hill, with a robust development pipeline that includes three key upcoming projects in central Bristol — the former Bristol Zoo car park site in Clifton, a recently approved development in Southville, and Baltic Wharf on Spike Island, overlooking the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Andy Hill OBE, founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, said: “I am pleased to welcome Eloise and Sarah to lead the sales teams in these two important strategic regions for The Hill Group. Their expertise will be invaluable in driving sales to support our expansion in London, Bristol and the South West. At Hill, we are committed to delivering exceptional homes that are thoughtfully designed for their locations, and both Eloise and Sarah share this passion. They bring a wealth of market insight and a deep understanding of delivering quality homes that add value to communities. We look forward to supporting them as they take on these key roles and contribute to our growing presence in these regions.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Property Sense, a PropTech partner for BTR operators, leasing agents and developers, has welcomed three new non-executive directors to its board.    These strategic appointments mark a significant step in the company’s growth journey, reinforcing its commitment to revolutionising the lease-up experience in the BTR sector.    Nigel Rawlings, Tom Lebor, and Yogesh Jandauria are all joining the board as non-executive directors.   Nigel Rawlings, renowned BTR expert and current Chairman of Rise Homes, provides a deep understanding of the industry with his extensive experience within property and construction.    Tom Lebor is a respected scale-up business mentor and advisor, known for his expertise in strategy, growth, operations and change for sustainable success. His experience will support Property Sense in navigating the complexities and nuances of scaling a high-performance team across the business.    Yogesh Jandauria is a seasoned investor, landlord, and property developer with experience as a trusted advisor for organisations including PwC, Deloitte, Lloyds Bank, and HSBC. With a solid track record in managing a buy-to-let (BTL) portfolio and leading residential development projects, and as a major shareholder in Property Sense, he brings strategic oversight and a commitment to sustainable growth.   The newly formed team will work alongside CEO Mike Haywood, to drive Property Sense’s vision and support its rapid growth.    In addition to these board appointments, Tim Ng has been appointed Property Sense’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO). With a wealth of experience in scaling high-growth start-ups, Tim specialises in developing strategic tech frameworks that enable businesses to achieve scalable growth, operational efficiency and long-term value.    These strategic appointments bring the company’s board to four members, with at least two further appointments on track for this year; reinforcing Property Sense’s leadership as the company embarks on its next phase of growth.    The formation of the board follows the success of Property Sense’s ongoing investment raise, well on track to secure £1M of capital to accelerate its expansion and introduce its PropTech solutions to new regions across the UK.    Mike Haywood, CEO of Property Sense, said: “Building a world-class leadership team is crucial as we continue to innovate and expand. Each of these appointments brings real-life experiences of the challenges that come with scaling a business, and their invaluable expertise will help us refine our offerings and scale effectively.   “With our strengthened board and fresh investment, we are in a prime position to drive real change in the BTR sector. Our software has the capabilities to revolutionise BTR lettings processes, and we’re honoured to have such a strong team to make this a reality.”    For more information, please visit www.property-sense.co.uk.    Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals