Cushman & Wakefield UK living head podcast; Avison Young hires flex pro, Real Estate Balance adds to board

After joining Cushman & Wakefield 10 months ago as head of UK living, James Dunne discusses the responsibilities of his role and work helping John Lewis fund and develop its build-to-rent platform at his previous employer on the third episode of CoStar News' Top CREdentials podcast.

In the episode, Dunne describes how he "fell into" the real estate industry after studying Computer Science at university, undertaking early tasks like measuring 200 shops for a local greetings card retailer before it was acquired by Clintons.

He also outlines his expectations for this year's residential investment market, stating his optimism for an unlocking of the residential funding market thanks to factors such as supply-demand imbalances.

You can listen to the episode below and on podcast platforms, including:

• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

Avison Young has appointed Alexandra Gathercole, a flexible workspace specialist, as a director in its London markets team. Gathercole joins Avison Young from Stirling Ackroyd, where she spent two years as head of flexible workspace, advising occupiers, flex operators and landlords. Prior to this, she spent over seven years at JLL, most recently serving as a director, advising clients primarily in the City and West End. James Walker, principal, London markets and head of London office leasing at Avison Young, said: "Alex’s arrival significantly strengthens our flex capability in London. She brings a rare combination of operator, landlord and occupier insight, which is critical."

Real Estate Balance, the membership organisation working to improve equity, diversity and inclusion in the property industry, has appointed Kevin Aitchison, Ross Blair and Kate Seller to its board. Aitchison is managing director and head of Europe at Savills Investment Management, Blair is senior managing director and head of UK and Ireland at Hines and Seller is Landsec's chief people officer. The group said its new board appointments "mark a major step-change in [its] profile and growth". Chair Jo Davis said: "Our new board members bring an incredible level of experience and a demonstrated commitment to progressing issues like fairness and inclusion.

Bray Fox Smith has hired Katrina Love as a director in its central London team, joining from BNP Paribas Real Estate. Love brings 20 years' experience, including the last 15 years focused on the central London office market. She has advised on redevelopment and refurbishment schemes as well as leasing advice to landlord clients including Lendlease, The Crown Estate, Wing Tai and LaSalle Investment Management. She has also advised occupiers including StepStone Group, Quintain and Orion Resource Partners. Co-founder Paul Smith said: “Katrina’s market expertise and client-first approach perfectly complement our growing Central London team."

Lawrence Hutchings is stepping down as chief executive and a board director at Workspace Group, the London flexible workspace owner-operator, after a year and three months in the job. He will be replaced by Charlie Green, effective 2 February. Green is described as an experienced chief executive and was co-founder of The Office Group, which he grew over two decades into a leading flexible workspace business. He led the company through multiple investment cycles, including Blackstone’s majority acquisition in 2017. Tom Edwards-Moss will join as CFO designate on 23 February, while outgoing CFO Dave Benson will remain until 30 April.

Redevco has recruited Lara Young as its head of sustainable operations. Young will be based in the firm's London office and report to Chris Fleetwood, chief operating and sustainability officer. The company said she will "drive the implementation of [its] sustainability agenda, including its commitment to achieving net zero carbon across the portfolio by 2040". She will also oversee the integration of ESG principles across property development, asset management and operations. She joins from Stoneweg, which acquired Cromwell's European platform in 2024, where she was group head of ESG, leading sustainability initiatives across Europe and Australia.

Mantle Space, the flexible workspace operator, has hired Alexandra Livesey to a new managing director position. Livesey will head up the company in a fractional role and report to Guy Baker, chief executive and founder of Mantle Space. The firm said she will spearhead operations leading an overall team of 45 and help to grow the company. The recruit most recently led Clockwise, the international flexible workspace company, for five years, overseeing the its growth across the UK as chief operating officer. Before this, she spent two decades in the hospitality sector, launching boutique brand Brama Hotels. She also cofounded growth consultancy Little Red Donkey in 2018.