Shaftesbury PLC – Property Director
Shaftesbury PLC required a Property Director to lead the asset management of its £1bn Chinatown and Fitzrovia Estates.
This was a critical leadership hire during a period of change, as the business prepared for its merger with Capital & Counties to form Shaftesbury Capital PLC. The role required a mix of technical capability, leadership strength, and adaptability. The incoming hire would need to oversee a mixed team, manage key stakeholders, and help guide the organisation through a significant transition.
We worked closely with senior stakeholders to define success, balancing short-term delivery with longer-term leadership. From there, we mapped 248 candidates across the central London asset management and investment market and ran a structured, high-touch headhunting process to assess capability, style, and cultural fit. This produced a shortlist of eight qualified candidates with relevant experience and a proven ability to lead through change. The process combined technical evaluation with leadership-based practical tasks, supported by market insight and salary benchmarking to inform decision-making.
All eight shortlisted candidates were interviewed, and Shaftesbury moved to offer within nine weeks of launch. They appointed a Property Director with the right blend of technical expertise, leadership experience, and cultural alignment to guide the business through its merger transition. The process delivered a credible shortlist, clear structure, and a strong hire at pace.
