Simon Durkin, BlackRock’s global head of real estate research and strategy, is to join the Urban Land Institute (ULI) as European CEO.
Durkin will join in early March to take over the role vacated by Lisette van Doorn, who recently left after more than a decade of at the organisation.
He brings more than 20 years of experience in real estate research and capital markets, having held senior leadership and investment committee roles at BlackRock, BNP Paribas and DWS.
Durkin and van Doorn have a professional history spanning two decades, having previously collaborated on real estate research and data initiatives.
ULI said Durkin will work with the team to sharpen the organisation’s value proposition for members across the built environment ecosystem and oversee its regional strategic initiatives.
He will also join the senior leadership team under global CEO Angela Cain to align European operations with the organisation’s global platform.
Durkin said: “ULI Europe is built on a strong foundation and has an increasingly important role to play as the real estate and built environment evolve amid structural, macroeconomic and geopolitical change.
“My priority is to work closely with the team, building on the legacy Lisette has created, ensuring ULI continues to adapt while remaining a trusted, credible and valuable resource for our members.”
Cain said: “We are delighted to welcome Simon to ULI. He brings a rare combination of strategic clarity, commercial understanding and deep respect for evidence-based insight. His leadership will strengthen ULI Europe’s relevance and impact at a time when the industry needs trusted perspective and long-term thinking, more than ever.”
“That means sharpening our focus, strengthening alignment across our work and deepening our emphasis on insight, learning and convening, creating the space for informed discussion and debate that supports better long-term decision-making and resilient value creation.”
Anne Kavanagh, European chair and global board member of ULI, said: “Simon brings deep industry knowledge, commercial understanding and a collaborative leadership style that will serve ULI Europe and its members well.
“He is both innovative and engaging, and I look forward to working closely with him as we build on the strong foundation established under Lisette’s leadership and continue to deliver value for our members across Europe.”
To read the latest IPE Real Assets magazine click here.
