British Land has rejigged two of its senior roles as it presses on with ambitions to become the UK’s “leading innovation and life sciences REIT”.
The listed owner has appointed Mike Wiseman, most recently its head of office leasing, to lead workspace leasing for the firm’s innovation and life sciences properties. He will also be responsible for asset management and accelerating the delivery of British Land’s innovation strategy.
Wiseman will continue to lead the office leasing team, although he said directors Alex Colvin and Amy Hockley will have the opportunity to take on bigger roles.
Head of Broadgate developments Gareth Roberts has been appointed as head of development for innovation and life sciences.
Roberts will be charged with all of British Land’s development activities in the sector, including converting offices to labs at Regent’s Place in King’s Cross, NW1, delivering the first building at Peterhouse Technology Park in Cambridge, and delivering scale-up labs at Paper Yard at Canada Water, SE16.
The news comes after BL created an innovation advisory council in May, formed of five academics and executives.
In its latest financial update, BL said it was ramping up its focus on the life sciences and innovation sectors.
Wiseman said in a social media post: “We feel that the UK is poised for growth in this sector and have been clear in our ambition to become the UK’s leading innovation and life science REIT. With our vertically integrated business model and campus strategy, British Land is well placed to deliver on that ambition.”
Roberts said: “The UK has bold aims for the sector and BL’s strategy and portfolio is well positioned to take advantage of it. We have made great progress to date but still have lots left to learn and do.”
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