This week’s London appointments

Lesley Chen Davison, Seaforth Land

Commercial real estate investor and asset manager Seaforth Land has appointed Lesley Chen Davison has chief investment officer.

Lesley joins Seaforth Land from investment firm Delancey where she has worked since 2005 as director of banking and treasury, and served as a member of the company’s Steering Committee.

Lesley, who first worked with founder and CEO Tyler Goodwin and chairperson Kurt Roeloffs 20 years ago in New York at Deutsche Bank, has experience of working on real estate transactions across Europe and North America.

As well as her professional experience, Lesley holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Georgetown University in Washington DC.

Tyler Goodwin, founder & CEO of Seaforth Land, said: “I have known Lesley for nearly two decades and I can say with confidence that she is the right person to grow our highly specialised fiduciary operating platform.”

“Lesley represents our commitment to attracting best-in-class experts in real estate investing and fiduciary care, as we continue to deliver outperformance whilst growing our institutional quality assets under management.”

Commenting on her appointment, Lesley added: “Seaforth is an exciting and entrepreneurial real estate investment business that has accomplished a great deal in its formative years, having already acquired several significant properties including the iconic Space House.

“My 14 years of experience in UK real estate capital markets adds to the exemplary property skills that Seaforth Land already has in-house. I look forward to working with Tyler, Kurt, and the rest of the team to ensure the company is a huge success.”

Austin Armstrong, Deputy

Workforce management software specialist Deputy has appointed Austin Armstrong as vice president of enterprise sales for EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa).

In a newly created role, Austin will lead the firm’s London-based mid-market and enterprise sales.

Austin joins from retail software firm StoreForce where most recently he held the positions of head of global marketing and director of sales and business development.

Commenting on his appointment, Austin said: “I’m thrilled to join Deputy on its mission to help businesses love what they do day in and day out.

“We have an amazing team here, devoted to this mission and living it every day. That’s why I joined. I’m excited to be part of this and look forward to helping great businesses and their people to be even more successful.”

David Kelly, General Manager for EMEA added: “Austin’s expertise will continue to ensure we put the needs of employers and workers at the forefront of the development of our platform in this part of the world.”

Rob Dembitz and Simon Gosling, Bidstack Group

In-gaming advertising platform Bidstack Group has appointed Rob Dembitz as chief commercial officer (CCO), and Simon Gosling as chief marketing officer (CMO).

Rob has spent the past decade working in private equity backed media businesses, including EMI and Cannes Lions, where he served as global head of innovation.

With an MBA from London Business School, Rob’s new role will see him creating clear commercial strategies to maintain the firm’s market position.

Rob commented: “I’m excited to be joining a company which is thinking years ahead in terms of digital advertising and is devoted to reaching a rich, growing audience across the gaming ecosystem, enabling brands to unlock a channel that has been hitherto inaccessible.”

Simon brings more than 25 years of advertising industry experience to the firm. Prior to his current role, Simon worked as Futurist at Unruly, where he was responsible for leading the ‘Future Home’ project from concept to completion.

Commenting on his new appointment, Simon said: “I’m thrilled to start working alongside such a talented and ambitious team who are at the cutting edge of digital advertising.

“Bidstack possesses a tremendous vision for the future and I am excited to be part of a team where so much innovation is taking place.”

James Draper, CEO of Bidstack added: “Adding Rob and Simon strengthens our management team as we put into place the foundations for the international growth of Bidstack.”

John Webber, Public Sector Plc

Private-public partnership legal framework option Public Sector Plc has appointed John Webber as chief financial officer.

With almost 20 years of experience in the sector, John specialises in leading finance for real estate funds including PRS, commercial property and social housing developments.

John joins the frm from Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) where he led the finance function for six real estate funds as well as the debt origination for LGIM’s Build-to-Rent Fund.

Before joining LGIM, John was at PWC where he provided corporate finance advice to developers, infrastructure investors and government across regeneration, real estate, social housing and infrastructure transactions, working with the likes of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, Catalyst Housing Group and Your Housing Group.

Public Sector Plc CEO Adam Cunnington said: “With almost two decades of experience, John has a tremendous pedigree as someone who can deliver safe and attractive real estate financing options for local authorities at a time when council budgets have been cut and local authorities need to deliver much-needed new homes and revenue streams.”

Commenting on his appointment, John added: “Public Sector Plc is a business that has been providing funding, skills and strategy in property for local authorities for more than a decade. The challenges faced by each of our local authority partners are unique and I’m extremely excited about using my experience to help them.

“By working together we can create win-wins for local authorities, local taxpayers and local communities and I cannot think of a more satisfying challenge to take on.”

Rowan Bird, BGF

Business investment organisation BGF has appointed Rowan Bird as an investor.

Rowan joins from the mergers and acquisitons team at financial advisory and asset management firm Lazard, where he spent three years as an investment banking analyst specialising in basic industries and the natural resources sector.

In his new role, Rowan will be involved in all aspects of the investment process from building relationships with business owners, supporting opportunities through BGF’s investment process and actively working alongside a number of portfolio companies post completion.

Commenting on his appointment, Rowan said: “BGF’s long-term outlook is a real point of difference in the market, as is the excellent reputation it has carved out across the UK and Ireland over the last eight years.

“I’m excited to be working with a well-respected team and in partnership with some of London and the South East’s most exciting and diverse businesses to achieve their ambitions.”

Grant Paul-Florence, head of BGF’s London office added: “We’re delighted to welcome Rowan to the team as we continue to expand our investment offering in London. He brings a track record of deal experience which will be a real asset to the London investment team.”

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