Press Releases

Allan Lockhart, Chief Executive of NewRiver REIT, today becomes the Chair of the British Property Federation (BPF) Retail Board.

The Board was launched in January 2021 to drive the strategic agenda for the UK retail property sector and its advocacy – to ensure that the views of retail property are better heard and understood by both central and regional governments – as the sector deals with the impact of Covid-19 and adjusts to structural changes.

Lockhart has over 25 years’ experience in the UK real estate market specialising in the retail sector. He started his career with Strutt & Parker in 1988 advising major property companies and institutions on retail investment and development. In 2009 he co-founded NewRiver, which has a portfolio of 33 community shopping centres and 24 retail parks.

In 2021, Lockhart will focus the Board on:

• Championing the role of retail property investment in creating vibrant communities and helping to ensure it remains an attractive asset class for investors;
  
  
• Leading the retail property response to the Government’s review of the commercial property owner-occupier relationship to help shape a modern, fit-for-purpose legislative framework; and
  
  
• Ensuring retail property rises to the challenge of net zero carbon.

The Government announced in December 2020 that it will seek to review the legislation that governs the property owner-occupier relationship, providing both property owners and occupiers with an opportunity to contribute towards creating a more sustainable and collaborative future for the sector.

The BPF Retail Board will be proactive in presenting solutions to the Government to protect and unlock further investment for town and city centres across the UK. Equally, the Board will shine a spotlight on barriers to collaboration, innovation and growth, which continue to undermine the retail property sector’s role in supporting business, jobs and communities.  

David Partridge, President, British Property Federation (Senior Partner of Argent LLP and Chairman of Argent Related) says:

“The retail property sector requires, arguably now more than ever, a strong and authoritative body to represent its interests. We are stronger and will have greater impact when we are united. I welcome Allan to his new position within the BPF to navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead for our new Retail Board, representing the retail property sector at large and working in partnership with the Government to ensure we have a policy environment that allows the sector, and the communities we’re invested in, to thrive.”

Allan Lockhart, Chief Executive, NewRiver REIT comments:

“It is a privilege to become the Chair of the recently established BPF Retail Board, leading the charge for the retail property sector’s priorities among central and regional government. I look forward to working alongside the other Board members, and the BPF’s Presidential and executive teams, to shape a more positive future for the retail property sector, its customers, and our town and city centres.”

Melanie Leech, Chief Executive, British Property Federation adds:

“Allan has been a member of our Policy Committee – which sets the BPF’s strategic direction – for the past three years and I look forward to working with him this year as Chair of our new Retail Board to further improve understanding among our key stakeholders of the retail property sector’s social and economic value, and our role in supporting the Government to build back better and achieve its environmental ambitions.

“Moving forward, we need to ensure the conversation between retail property owners, occupiers and the Government is one of partnership and shared goals, to create an environment that enables stable and healthy economic relationships between owners and occupiers for many years into the future. Our new Retail Board is set to achieve this.”