Three major property firms have announced senior appointments and promotions across research and operational roles, signalling strategic shifts in their leadership structures.
Research leadership appointments
BNP Paribas Real Estate has appointed Rebecca Shafran as head of commercial research, while Strutt & Parker has named Jason Beedell as head of residential and rural research.
Shafran, who joined BNP Paribas Real Estate in 2019, brings over 20 years of experience in real estate research and strategy. Her expertise spans alternative sectors including student accommodation, hotels, healthcare, care homes and retirement living.
Beedell has been with Strutt & Parker since 2016, specialising in rural property, agriculture and land use policy. He will now oversee the firm’s residential and rural research team.
Gary Higgins, managing director at Strutt & Parker, said: “Jason is one of the most respected voices in the sector and has made an outstanding contribution to Strutt & Parker over many years.”
Shafran noted the timing of her appointment: “High-quality research and market intelligence have never been more valuable to clients as they navigate changing economic conditions, evolving occupier demands and new investment opportunities.”
The appointments come as UK property buyers become increasingly selective in their purchasing decisions, making detailed market analysis more critical for investors.
Regional estate agency promotion
Greenslade Taylor Hunt (GTH) has promoted Mark Chant to associate at its Yeovil office. Chant has nearly 30 years of experience in the property sector and previously operated his own estate agency in Yeovil.
In his new role, Chant will lead the sales team at the Yeovil office while working with GTH’s branch network across Yeovil, Sherborne, Ilminster, Chard and Langport. He will oversee property marketing and sales ranging from first-time buyer homes to larger family properties.
Build-to-rent operator expansion
Build-to-rent operator Apo has appointed Justine Edmonds as managing director, effective 10 August. Edmonds joins from LRG, where she led the Living Markets strategy across single-family housing and multifamily portfolios.
Edmonds has over 20 years of experience in the UK residential property sector, advising institutional investors on capital deployment, operating models and large-scale rental portfolio delivery.
Apo, acquired by Broadsword Investment Management in 2024, currently operates more than 2,000 rental homes across five build-to-rent developments in London, Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester. The company is seeking to expand across the wider living sector, including build-to-rent, single-family housing, co-living and serviced apartments.
Dominic Sherry, operating partner at Broadsword Investment Management, said: “Her track record working with institutional investors and scaling operational platforms will be invaluable as we continue to expand our service offering and support clients across a broader range of living-sector assets.”
The appointments reflect broader shifts in the UK property market, where regional markets continue to show varied performance and specialist knowledge is increasingly valued by investors and occupiers alike.
