Shaftesbury appoints head of sustainability

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
May 12, 2020

West End landlord Shaftesbury has announced the appointment of Matt Smith to the newly created role of head of sustainability.

With an extensive career across the construction, property development and asset management sectors, Smith has spent more than eight years in sustainability roles. These include interim head of sustainability (real estate) at The Crown Estate, his most recent position.

Shaftesbury said the new head of sustainability will focus on further developing and implementing the company’s sustainability strategy and its community engagement. Among other things, the real estate company wants its entire portfolio to use 100% renewable electricity.

Commenting on Smith’s appointment, Brian Bickell, CEO said: “His extensive experience will be extremely valuable to us as we continue to address all aspects of sustainability across our business. We are committed to operating in an environmentally sustainable way and minimising the environmental impact of both our operations, and those of our occupiers.”

Shaftesbury owns various retail, office, restaurant and residential units in Central London, including many stores in Carnaby, Soho and Covent Garden. The lockdown measures have had a dramatic effect on demand and footfall across its portfolio, the impact of which will be quantified when the business publishes its half-year results on 10 June.

In a bid to ensure communities and consumers remain connected during the Covid-19 crisis, the landlord has turned its villages virtual. Three dedicated campaigns for Seven Dials, Carnaby and Chinatown feature curated content created in partnership with retail occupiers, offering bespoke video tutorials, DIY classes, style and beauty advice and wellbeing guides.