Former Candy & Candy director Stewart Knight is to join Westrock’s UK PRS company, Platform, as its new acquisitions chief.
Knight spent four years at the luxury developer, where he worked on projects including One Hyde Park, SW1, before setting up residential development company SJKL in 2011.
Before that he spent 11 years at Weatherall Green & Smith, now BNP Paribas Real Estate, in roles including head of city investment and development.
Westrock’s UK build-to-rent venture, which was rebranded as Platform earlier this year, will be completing its first five schemes and 600 units by the end of 2016.
While existing schemes have largely focused on office-to-residential conversions, Knight will look to source new-build development opportunities around the country.
Head of development Matt Willcock said: “Permitted development rights have allowed us to grow a sizeable portfolio quickly, but as we look to scale, acquiring sites where we can build from the ground up will be vital,”
Platform will also be looking to expand the size of its schemes, with potential to phase delivery.
“Our focus will be around well-connected employment hubs which, like our initial pipeline, can allow us to deliver high-quality homes that are also accessible to the mid-market,” said Knight.
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