BNP Paribas Real Estate said on Monday it has appointed Justin James as senior investment director and Tim Hugill as investment director within its Central London investment team, based in the West End.

BNP Paribas Real Estate said on Monday it has appointed Justin James as senior investment director and Tim Hugill as investment director within its Central London investment team, based in the West End.

Both join from UK property consultant Allsop, where James was a partner and Hugill an associate in the West End business team. Between them James and Hugill have more than 23 years' experience.

At BNP Paribas Real Estate, James will lead the West End component of the Central London team, reporting to its head Paul Henwood.

The recruitment is part of BNP Paribas' drive to expand its transactional and Central London teams. The firm has been very active in the recruitment market in 2010, attracting a number of senior names including Alistair Oates as head of valuation from DTZ, Chris Carter Keall as head of new funds from Valad, Andrew Thomson as national head of planning from DTZ, Shaun Hose as asset management director from NB Real Estate and Richard Williams as investment director from Knight Frank.