Timber specialist Bywater Properties has announced a strategic shift with the appointment of Harry Daws as its new head of living.
Daws brings nearly 15 years of real estate investment experience to the role. Previously, he served as investment director at Scape. As head of living, he will be instrumental in shaping Bywater's residential investment strategy over the coming year.
Leading the company's expansion into new asset classes, Daws will spearhead the exploration of single-family homes, multi-family rentals, and student accommodation as initial areas of focus.
‘I look forward to helping Bywater expand into the residential market – bolstering its already stellar reputation in the delivery of low-carbon projects,' he said. 'Bywater considers not only operational carbon, but the entire carbon footprint across a project’s lifecycle, something which very few others in the industry are doing right now.’
Theo Michell, COO of Bywater Properties, added: ‘Our decision to appoint a new head of living marks a moment of evolution for Bywater, as we look to diversify our portfolio of sustainable assets across the UK. Our long-term vision, with capital investment from Sumitomo Forestry, is to deliver projects that create meaningful change and challenge current norms in the property sector.’
Daws' appointment follows hard on the heels of Pavlos Clifton joining as head of development.
The expansion comes after Bywater established a long-term partnership with Sumitomo Forestry Co. in 2023. This collaboration focuses on high-quality design in timber-led commercial projects, including both retrofits and new builds across the UK.
