Placefirst has appointed Lee McLean as chief executive officer, effective 3 August 2026.
McLean, who has more than 25 years’ experience scaling operational real estate businesses across the UK and international markets, joins from global platform Campus Living Villages, where he served as UK CEO for nearly eight years.
He succeeds David Mawson, who transitioned to executive chair in February 2026 as part of his planned retirement.
McLean said: “Placefirst has built a clear identity in single-family rental, with a portfolio and delivery model that stands out in the UK market. The opportunity now is to scale that platform further, expanding partnerships and continuing to grow in undersupplied regions. I’m looking forward to building on its strong foundations and working with the team.”
Mawson added: “It has been a privilege to lead Placefirst over the past few years and to see the platform grow to where it is today. I am pleased to be handing over to Lee at such an important stage in its development. He brings the right experience to lead the business forward, and I am looking forward to working closely with him as the business continues to expand.”
David Christie, CEO of Matter Real Estate, said: “Lee’s appointment represents a natural next step in Placefirst’s development as a scaled SFR platform. His experience driving growth in operational residential sectors will be key as we continue to expand the portfolio. I would also like to thank David Mawson for his leadership in building Placefirst into the platform it is today, and we’re pleased he will remain closely involved as executive chair.”
