This week’s London appointments

Matt Peaty, REM Limited

Real Estate Management (UK) Limited (REM) has appointed Matt Peaty as head of health and safety.

In his new role, Matt will drive health and safety best practice across REM’s portfolio, which includes Park House; 48 Pall Mall; and Shard Quarter, comprising the iconic Shard building, The News Building and Shard Place, a residential property currently under construction.

Matt has more than 16 years of experience in real estate, property and facilities management.

He previously worked for commercial facilities management firm Salisbury Group, where he was QSHEC (quality, safety, health and environmental compliance) director.

Matt said of his appointment: “I firmly believe in continuous health and safety improvement, focusing energy and time on our people and innovation.

“I look forward to working across REM’s portfolio, drawing on my past experience to engage individuals and ensuring that REM’s high standards are maintained.”

REM chief exec Michael Baker commented: “Matt is an expert in the field of health and safety and brings extensive knowledge of property management in this field to our senior leadership team.

“Matt will be invaluable in ensuring best practice across our portfolio, including the construction of Shard Place.”

Darren Topp, Retail Executives

Fashion and retail recruiter Retail Executives Limited has appointed a new chairman.

Darren Topp will be responsible for the company’s strategic direction, growth of its advisory board and board practice.

He previously held senior roles at Marks & Spencer before joining department store chain BHS and fashion retailer Outfit as COO. He was promoted to CEO in 2015.

Most recently, Darren was chief exec at luxury fashion brand L.K.Bennett.

Richard Hollister, managing partner at Retail Executives, said: “We are delighted that Darren has joined the business, these are exciting times for the firm and Darren is key to its growth.

“His knowledge of the marketplace, experience at various operating levels, he can understand the issues facing retailers and assist with solutions.”

Darren commented: “I am delighted to join Retail Executives LTD as chairman and look forward to working with Richard and the team to build a new type of executive recruitment business that’s fit for today’s challenging retail climate.”

Retail Executives, founded earlier this year by Richard Hollister, expects to announce other senior hires in the coming weeks.

Mark Gross, Downing LLP

Investment manager Downing LLP has promoted Mark Gross to partner in its development capital investment team.

Mark has more than 14 years’ experience in private equity across a range of sectors, including healthcare, leisure and hospitality.

Prior to joining Downing as investment director in June 2014, he was associate director at UK mid-market private equity house Caird Capital LLP. Before that, he was at Bank of Scotland.

Downing’s head of investment, partner Chris Allner, said: “Mark is an experienced private equity specialist having transacted and managed over £500m of equity and debt capital, most recently completing the successful exit of a group of five care homes managed by Care Concern Group.

“This year has seen significant growth for Downing, with 10 new hires across the business so far in 2018, but we are also committed to developing and rewarding the talented individuals within our existing team.”

He continued: “We are pleased to recognise Mark’s important role in driving the business forward and as Partner his wealth of knowledge and experience will be crucial, particularly as we expand our investment activities across the healthcare sector.”

Giovanni Perri and Caspar de Roij, Ideal Flatmate

Ideal Flatmate has announced two senior appointments.

New head of growth Giovanni Perri joined the company from growth marketing startup Rebelhack.

Caspar de Roij, hired for the role of head of paid acquisition and optimisation, previously worked for men’s grooming startup Cornerstone.

Giovanni will oversee the company’s growth across acquisition channels and build out its marketing automation plan through the integration of machine learning.

Caspar will focus on paid search and paid social, with a “high degree of optimisation work”, Ideal Flatmate said.

Founder Tom Gatzen commented: “We are really excited to welcome both Giovanni and Caspar to our growing team.

“Their experience working for startups will be extremely valuable as Ideal Flatmate looks to build on its strong momentum.”

He continued: “They are joining at a really exciting time for us a business, we have a market-leading position in the London rental market and a number of ambitious growth plans for the next 12 months which they will integral in supporting.”