Joe Montgomery has joined the Urban Land Institute (ULI) as its new Chief Executive for Europe with responsibilities covering the expansion of its services and membership across Europe, and increasing the collaboration between public and private sectors in real estate and city development. He has joined ULI from the U.K. Government's Department for Communities and Local Government, where he was Director General.
ULI is a global research and education institute dedicated to responsible land use and sustainable community building. Currently, ULI has nearly 30,000 members worldwide, including more than 2,300 in 14 countries across Europe. The Institute's European operations are run from offices in London and Frankfurt.
Montgomery, who has spent most of his 27-year career as an urban regeneration specialist in central and local government was a "compelling choice" to be Chief Executive of the Institute's operations in Europe, said ULI's Global Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Phillips.
"I am confident that under Joe's leadership, ULI can reach deeper into more areas of Europe and become more effective as a global knowledge exchange on land use. The Institute is committed to helping cities face the challenge of sustainable development and Joe's expertise in public-private collaboration will be invaluable in this regard. Our continued success in Europe will serve as a bellwether for what ULI can accomplish worldwide."
As ULI's Chief Executive for Europe, Montgomery is responsible for the overall management and leadership of the Institute's activities across the continent, including: ULI expert advisory services in Europe; land use and real estate-related research; the Urban Investment Network (a partnership of government leaders, institutional investors and developers that promotes greater investment in Europe's cities) and the LessEn initiative (a web-based information exchange promoting energy efficiency and retrofitting of existing buildings).
"Joe's thorough understanding of both ULI, and of Europe's land use industry, will enable the Institute to meet the needs of members in our European markets, and to offer more tailored programs and services. His public-sector background will be a strong asset for ULI in understanding the needs and demands of European cities. I look forward to working closely with him," said Alexander Otto, CEO of the European retail development giant ECE, and the non-executive Chairman of ULI's European operations.
Montgomery said, "75 years ago, ULI was founded by leaders in the real estate and regeneration sector to help create sustainable communities and to promote the responsible use of urban land. The economic challenges that the world faced then are in many ways replicated today, particularly around the issues of investment, risk and private-public collaboration. In Europe, with our differing local circumstances, we have the opportunity to bring innovative solutions to the challenges that cities face and to demonstrate in very practical ways how the real estate industry can be a force for good.
"I am delighted to take the helm of ULI Europe at this pivotal time, and I am particularly keen to help build our knowledge base on how to face today's real estate and regeneration challenges. I have inherited a good team in London and Frankfurt and I am looking to build ULI's presence in all of our European markets, as well as improving the visibility of our services, events and research."
Prior to joining ULI, Montgomery was Director General at the U.K. Government's Department for Communities and Local Government. His recent responsibilities have variously included managing the government's nine regional offices; investing England's multi-billion pound allocation from the European Regional Development Fund, securing a long term legacy for East London from the 2012 Olympics; and leading the £9.6-billion Thames Gateway regeneration program.
He joined government in 2001 as Director General for Neighborhood Renewal in the office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
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