BPF announces new President

1 July 2020, London: David Partridge, Senior Partner of Argent LLP and Chairman of Argent Related today becomes the President of the British Property Federation (BPF).

Partridge succeeds Helen Gordon, Chief Executive, Grainger plc, who will stand down as President at the BPF’s 46th Annual General Meeting this evening.

Guy Grainger, EMEA Chief Executive, JLL and Junior Vice-President of the BPF will step up to become Vice-President.

In addition to the Presidential team appointments, the BPF announces today Jessica Hardman, Head of UK Real Estate, DWS has been appointed to join the Board.

This is the first appointment made following an open advertisement amongst the BPF membership for Board appointment, as part of the BPF’s commitment to promoting a more diverse and inclusive property industry.

Hardman’s appointment follows the announcement in 2019 of the following new additions to the Board:

• Harvin Chohan, Surveyor at CBRE and Chair of BPF Futures, bringing the voice of the next generation of industry leaders into the heart of the BPF’s decision-making;
• Madeleine McDougall, Managing Director, Head of Real Estate and Housing at Lloyds Bank; and
• Jonathan Murphy, Chief Executive Officer of Assura and Chair of the BPF’s Healthcare Committee, providing a direct link with the BPF’s 19 technical committees.

Melanie Leech, Chief Executive, British Property Federation comments:
“David has been a member of our Presidential team for the past two years and I look forward to working with him this year as President to further improve understanding among our key stakeholders of the property sector’s social value, our role in supporting the Government to achieve its environmental goals and our positive impact on the quality of people’s lives across the country.

“I am equally delighted to welcome Jessica as our latest addition to the BPF’s Board. As the voice of the property industry we have committed to play our part in promoting a culture of equality and inclusion within our industry. This means ensuring that our governance aligns with our values, and we now have a more diverse board than at any time in the BPF’s history.”

David Partridge, Senior Partner of Argent LLP and Chairman of Argent Related adds:
“I am honoured to take on the role of BPF President at this critical time. My focus will be to ensure that the real estate sector plays an active part in the post Covid-19 recovery. By doing so, it reinforces and enhances the recognition of our contribution to society at the same time as maximising our capacity to safeguard the environment, to create more sustainable and resilient towns and cities across the country. This provides continuity with the presidential theme for the past two years and reflects the importance of this issue for our industry.

“I look forward to working together with the BPF executive team to ensure we are an industry that is seen as a critical partner to the Government and one that underpins national objectives and local community wellbeing.”

Jessica Hardman, Head of UK Real Estate, DWS says:
“It is a privilege to become a BPF Board member. The BPF is the voice of the property industry, spearheading our priorities among central and regional government, and I look forward to working alongside the other Board members to shape a property industry that can better foster an inclusive culture.”