Will White has been hired as partnerships director to focus on developing and managing strategic relationships with universities and other key stakeholders.

He joins from Unite, where he was previously higher education engagement director.

Elsewhere, Romain Palpacuer has joined as investment director, where he will be responsible for driving investment strategy and originating new opportunities.

He joins from Aventon where he held the same role.

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And James Lambert has been recruited as portfolio manager, and will oversee the performance and optimisation of the wider Watkin Jones portfolio, alongside working on new asset management initiatives.

He joins from TPG Angelo Gordon where he was an associate.

“Strengthening our investment team is a key priority for Watkin Jones as we continue to evolve and grow our business,” said George Dyer, group investment director at Watkin Jones.

“These appointments bring a strong blend of investment expertise, partnership experience and portfolio management capability, which will be vital as we continue to identify and deliver high quality opportunities aligned with our broader strategies.”