Central London student accommodation provider urbanest has appointed Gavin de Klerk as the company’s new head of development.
De Klerk, who has more than 25 years’ experience delivering complex and large-scale development projects across the UK, Europe and MENA, joins urbanest from luxury residential developer Concord London, where he was development director. Prior to Concord, he spent four years at Lendlease.
In his new role, de Klerk’s key responsibilities will include leading on the delivery of future schemes and upgrading existing developments across urbanest’s portfolio of purpose-build student accommodation (PBSA) to meet higher sustainability credentials.
Over the coming months there will be a transition period with current head of development, Angus Kearin, who will continue his role through to the completion of urbanest’s Canary Wharf development later this year
Johnny Manns, chief investment officer of urbanest, said: “Gavin adds vast expertise, strategic leadership and commercial rigour to the urbanest team. Bringing a demonstrable cross-sector track record of developments that create long-term social and economic value, Gavin will enable urbanest to continue driving forward on our growth trajectory.”
De Klerk added: “Joining urbanest is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the growth of London’s leading student accommodation provider. Building on the achievements of the existing urbanest portfolio, together we will continue to strive for higher standards in our future developments and cement our position as a PBSA provider with exceptional sustainability credentials.”
