Real Estate:UK has appointed Vanessa Hale from BNP Paribas Real Estate as the organisation’s founding chief executive.
Hale, who has more than 20 years of global experience in the built environment, was head of research and strategy at BNP Paribas Real Estate and a member of the firm’s UK executive leadership team.
Prior to joining Strutt & Parker, which was later acquired by BNP Paribas Real Estate, Hale worked in the US, focusing on Chicago office market analysis and corporate workspace strategies.
She was the youngest chair of Urban Land Institute UK, has served on the commercial property forum of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and has been been a member of the Property Industry Alliance board. Hale will begin her role as chief executive of Real Estate:UK in July.
The legal merger of the Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF), British Property Federation and the Investment Property Forum is expected to complete on 30 April 2026, following a unanimous vote last year across the organisations’ memberships to create a single voice for the UK real estate sector.
The board of Real Estate:UK will initially be chaired by Anne Breen, global head of real estate at Aberdeen and current AREF chair, and will comprise industry representatives nominated by each organisation.
Breen said: “I am delighted to congratulate Vanessa on her appointment. 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. I’m certain her commitment to sustainability, diversity and supporting the next generation of talent will set a strong and progressive direction for the industry.”
Simon Carter, president of the British Property Federation and chief executive of British Land, added: “Vanessa was the standout choice to lead Real Estate:UK. Her compelling vision for the organisation and experience across all asset classes and leading ULI UK will be invaluable as we partner with government to unlock more capital to invest in our towns and cities. I wish her every success in this important role.”
Ben Sanderson, former Investment Property Forum chair and incoming Real Estate:UK board member, said: “Real Estate: UK will become the beating heart of the property world, with a powerful research programme and vibrant events at its core. Vanessa will be the ideal person to lead this agenda, as well as representing the industry to government and wider stakeholders.”
Hale 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.”
