BNP Paribas Real Estate drives business forward with new Head of Strategy

Stephanie McMahon & Vanessa Hale, BNP Paribas Real Estate

BNP Paribas Real Estate (BNPPRE) has announced that Stephanie McMahon will be stepping into the newly created role Head of Strategy, with Vanessa Hale taking up the position of Head of Research and Insights.

The appointments signal BNPPRE’s continued drive to connect clients with opportunities and sustainable property solutions through expert advice, insight, and financial acumen, supporting them to create long term outperformance and value in a changing world.

Etienne Prongué, CEO at BNP Paribas Real Estate UK commented: “The market fundamentals of real estate are shifting following two years of unprecedented change and in the wake of new global economic headwinds. For our clients to stay ahead, it’s critical we support them to be future driven, so they can identify and uncover new opportunities. Stephanie and Vanessa’s new roles will ensure we help our clients to take advantage of new sustainable innovations and technology solutions, supported by our deep understanding of the market and the financial expertise we can offer as the only real estate advisor owed by a global bank.”

Stephanie becomes Head of Strategy role following a 10-year career at BNPPRE and Strutt & Parker, where she has built a market-leading research team, together with Vanessa. Prior to this she was Head of UK Research at JLL. In her new role, she will have oversight of strategic planning and initiatives, reporting in to the CEO. Stephanie is Trustee for The Fremantle Trust and the ULI Residential committee Chair.

Vanessa joined the business in 2012, and has 20-years’ research experience in the commercial and residential real estate markets, having previously worked for CBRE and MB Real Estate in the USA. She is a Global Governing Trustee at Urban Land Institute (ULI), Chair of DRUM London (NED) and a former member of Property Week’s Diversity & Inclusion Editorial Advisory Board. She will continue to establish new innovative research products for clients, which already include the interactive location analysis tools of Next X, IndSITE and BTR CityLive.

They take up their new roles as the business positions itself for further growth. Since the start of the year, it has recruited over 15 senior leaders across the breadth of the business, including Healthcare & Senior Living, Logistics, Offices, ESG, Investment and BTR. This week, the Government Property Agency confirmed it had appointed BNPPRE as its new strategic partner for national property and property-related financial services.

Stephanie McMahon, Head of Strategy at BNP Paribas Real Estate UK commented: “There is an astounding number of big and small picture shifts that continue to impact real estate; from the global economic environment and how that influences capital flows, to the decisions that we are all making about how we want to live post COVID-19. When you add in longer term imperatives around the part real estate has to play in decarbonising and increasing biodiversity – the need to stay agile and innovative is fundamental. My new role will ensure we help our clients to best navigate an ever-changing landscape.”

Vanessa Hale, Head of Research and Insights at BNP Paribas Real Estate commented: “Knowledge and insights are crucial in supporting clients to identify and capture growth opportunities within their markets, both existing and new. Our UK research team works closely with our European BNPPRE research colleagues and those at BNP Paribas bank, putting us at the pinnacle of comprehensive insights and content that can deliver a strategic advantage to our clients.”

Vanessa’s team will be joined by Matt Henderson who joins as Associate Director, Senior Residential Research Analyst in June, taking over the Strutt & Parker residential research division.

Vanessa and Stephanie’s new roles follow the recent appointments of Andrew Screen, Head of Residential Capital Markets; Katrina Love, Leasing Director and Andrea Wlliams-Wedberg, Sales Director (West End Agency); Fergus Keane, Head of Central London Investment; Harry Douglass, Director (Hotels); Donna Rourke, ESG Director and growth hires in key regional offices.