Real Estate Balance appoints new lead; CBRE recruits sustainability director; Cluttons adds healthcare lead

PJ Galvin has been named managing director of Real Estate Balance, the membership organisation focused on creating inclusive workplace cultures in the UK real estate industry. He joins from Hammerson after five years, where he led the REIT's strategy for culture, performance and employee experience, and served as chair of its LGBTQ+ Affinity Group. He replaces Sue Brown, who stepped down from the role in April after six years. Galvin has three decades’ experience working in large global retail businesses including for Selfridges, Molton Brown and Gap. The group's membership has grown by 66% and now includes 136 UK real estate organisations.

CBRE has appointed Adam Baranowski as director, leading the firm's decarbonisation service line as part of its energy and sustainability advisory team. He joins from the Better Buildings Partnership, where he led climate action and investment programmes focused on net zero carbon and investor engagement across the real estate sector. CBRE said Baranowski will lead the development of its decarbonisation advice, working across teams and global service lines to deliver practical, implementable solutions for clients. Baranowski, who joins in July, said: "It’s an exciting opportunity to join CBRE at a pivotal moment for sustainability in the real estate industry."

Cluttons has recruited Iain Lock, who it calls "one of the most experienced healthcare and senior living specialists in the UK". Lock is hired as partner and becomes head of healthcare and senior living, bringing around 40 years of sector experience. The recruit joins from Avison Young, where he was managing director of health for 13 years, during which time he built a national team and grew the business almost fourfold, Cluttons said. He will work alongside Amanda Roddy, who joined Cluttons as a partner in May, when it launched the division. It provides consultancy and transactional services across independent healthcare, primary care and senior living.

Phil Tait has joined Lendlease as development director at Silvertown, the developer's proposed East London neighbourhood promising circa 6,500 homes. Tait joined the firm at the beginning of the month, having left British Land in May 2025, spending nine years at the REIT, according to his LinkedIn profile. At British Land, Tait helped with the development and planning strategy for British Land's £4.5 billion, 53-acre Canada Water masterplan, which has delivered buildings such as The Dock Shed offices in its first phase. He also spent more than four years at London property developer Argent, now Related Argent, working on the King's Cross regeneration project.

Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has appointed Sue Carroll as a director in its hospitality valuation services team. Carroll joins from KPMG, where she was senior manager in the real estate valuation centre of excellence, providing assurance on hospitality valuations for inclusion in company accounts. Before that she worked in JLL’s UK and Northern Europe valuation team for nine years. "[Carroll] brings a strong background in hotel and hospitality valuations, spanning both UK and international markets", the company added. She will provide valuation advice across hospitality assets, supporting lenders, investors, operators and owners.

Blackstar, the retail and leisure asset manager set up by Sabri Marsaoui after a long career as a commercial real estate manager, has named Natalia Rakowska as asset manager. She joins from Labtech where she was retail asset manager at London’s Camden Market and has over six years’ experience in dealing with retail and leisure destinations. Rakowska will work alongside Blackstar’s senior asset management team, supporting leasing initiatives and "performance optimisation" across the portfolio. Marsaoui, head of Blackstar Real Estate, said in a statement: "Natalia brings an exceptional blend of commercial acumen and hands-on asset management expertise."

AEW Architects has appointed Eamon O’Hara to its board after being promoted to director. He becomes the firm's eighth in the position and joined the practice as a Part 1 student in 2006, becoming an associate director 11 years later. He is the first person in AEW to attain registration as an RIBA Principal Designer and is also an examiner for the association. Andy Rainford, managing director at AEW Architects, said: "Not only is he an architect with the skills required to meet the demands of fast-paced, retail roll out workstreams, but Eamon has helped pioneer our approach, policies and procedures in response to the Building Safety Act and changes to the Building Regulations."