Case Study | Senior Build to Rent Leadership Team

Client Overview

A major UK retail and property group with ambitions to expand into the residential property market announced plans to develop 10,000 homes for rental over the coming years. With an existing portfolio of 7,000 rental homes and a commitment to addressing the national housing shortage, the business identified Build to Rent as a significant area of strategic growth aligned to its wider Partnership Plan.

The Challenge

The group required two executive hires to lead and define the strategy for the development and operations of its Build to Rent portfolio. Both roles carried significant leadership responsibility, with a remit to drive the commercial and investment goals that would underpin this new business vertical. Finding candidates with the depth of BTR expertise and cultural alignment to operate within a uniquely structured, employee-owned organisation presented a distinct challenge.

Our Approach

Leadership deverellsmith led the assignment on a retained basis, deploying a structured executive search methodology across both roles simultaneously. The team's deep specialism within the living sectors ensured rapid identification of a relevant, high-calibre candidate pool.

Methodology

• Competitive Market Mapping
• Candidate Pack & Employer Career Microsite
• Talent Mapping

Results

• Both searches completed within the agreed client timeframes
• Full shortlists delivered across both roles concurrently
• Strong shortlist-to-interview conversion rate achieved
• The search team was retained for further recruitment projects to continue building out the leadership function

Key Success Factors

A retained search approach, combined with thorough market mapping and a compelling candidate pack, enabled deverellsmith to attract senior BTR talent to a non-traditional property employer. Clear communication and weekly check-ins ensured both searches remained on track, resulting in two strategic placements and an ongoing client relationship.