Set to finalise on 30th April, Real Estate:UK is the result of the merger between the Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF), the British Property Federation (BPF) and the Investment Property Forum.

Vanessa brings more than 20 years’ global experience in research and strategy within the built environment, and will assume her new role in July.

She joins from BNP Paribas Real Estate where she was head of research and strategy, and a member of the UK executive leadership team.

Vanessa was also the youngest chair of the Urban Land Institute UK.

The board of Real Estate:UK will initially be chaired by Anne Breen, global head of real estate at Aberdeen and current AREF chair.

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“I am delighted to congratulate Vanessa on her appointment,” said Anne.

“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.”

Vanessa added: “I am excited to begin this next chapter for the real estate industry as the first appointed chief executive of Real Estate:UK.

“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 Anne and the RE:UK Board to bring that vision to reality for the benefit of the sector and all our current and future members.”