Following the business growth over the last 12 months, the Group Board of Global Student Accommodation has announced a significant expansion of its senior team.
Tim Mitchell has been promoted to Global Head of Real Estate. With more than 27 years’ experience as a chartered surveyor, including 18 in student accommodation, Tim has been part of the GSA team since its inception and was previously involved in the establishment of the Urbanest brand in London. Before joining GSA in 2009, Tim was Group Property Director for The UNITE Group.
James Granger has been promoted to CEO of EMEA and joins the Group Board. James has 14 years’ experience in the student accommodation sector and has most recently run his own consultancy business, advising clients (including GSA) across the globe looking to develop and grow student housing operating businesses in evolving and mature markets. Previously, James held various strategic, operational and finance leadership roles at The UNITE Group.
Anne Braun has been appointed Managing Director for Germany. Anne joins GSA with a 16-year track record in asset and property management and business development in Germany.
Christopher Holloway has been appointed Managing Director for Spain. Chris has been with The Student Housing Company for five years and was responsible for creating the Nexo Residencias brand in Spain.
Nick Richards has been appointed Managing Director for the UK and Ireland (UK&I). Nick moved to GSA six months ago to run its EMEA Finance team. Now in his new role as MD of GSA’s UK&I business, Nick will continue to grow its multi award-winning brand, The Student Housing Company in the UK and continue expansion in Ireland after the successful launch of the Uninest brand there. He will be responsible for expanding into new cities across the UK and delivering continued success and profitability in what is GSA’s largest market. Nick was previously at The UNITE Group plc for 16 years, most recently as Group Finance Director, during which time he had responsibility for all aspects of financial strategy and business management.
Nicholas Porter, Executive Chairman at GSA said: “I am delighted to congratulate our new in-country Managing Directors and to welcome Tim and James to the Group Board. GSA has a track record of accelerated growth and these appointments enable a new focus on scaling up our core European markets. This is part of our long-term strategy to become a leader in PBSA across the world’s top higher education markets making a real difference to students’ lives by creating and operating welcoming communities in which the students of today and tomorrow can thrive.”
