Vanessa Hale has been appointed as first chief executive of Real Estate:UK (RE:UK), ahead of its launch at the end of the month through the merger of the British Property Federation, Investment Property Forum and Association of Real Estate Funds.
Hale will take up the role of chief executive of RE:UK in July
Hale will join RE:UK in July from her current role as head of research and strategy at BNP Paribas Real Estate, having been promoted to the firm’s UK executive leadership team at the end of 2024.
Prior to joining Strutt & Parker, later acquired by BNP Paribas Real Estate, Hale worked in the US, focusing on the Chicago office market and corporate workspace strategies.
She has more than 20 years of global experience in built environment research and strategy, having advised on projects across asset classes including build to rent, offices, retail and industrial.
Hale previously served on the Commercial Property Forum of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and has been a member of the Property Industry Alliance board.
She was also the youngest chair of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), liaising with government bodies and engaging with media.
In 2019, she was named as one of Property Week’s RESI Trailblazers of the year.
“I am excited to begin this next chapter for the real estate industry as the first appointed chief executive,” Hale said.
“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 [AREF chair] Anne [Breen] and the RE:UK board to bring that vision to reality for the benefit of the sector and all our current and future members.”
Breen, who is head of real estate at Aberdeen, added: “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.”
Members of the BPF, IPF and AREF voted in favour of merging the organsations last year. The merger is expected to be completed on 30 April.
The new organisation, which comprises institutional and private investors, property companies, developers, asset owners, managers and advisers, will represent the entire real estate sector.
It has said its activity will be based around six pillars: advocacy; research and data; thought leadership and innovation; networking and events; upskilling and training; and standards and guidance.
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