Yugo, a company that claims to be the first global student housing brand and operator, has revealed the appointment of Joe Persechino as COO as it looks to expand.
Persechino joins from AXA IM Alts – Real Assets, where he was head of residential & student accommodation, responsible for strategy, deal origination and investment advice. Prior to that he held positions at Global Student Accommodation and Unite Group.
In a statement, Yugo said its new hire would take up the position from London to help executive leaders ‘optimise asset performance, customer engagement and loyalty’ through Yugo’s three silos - YugoEco, YuPro, and YuGrow.
Part of the company’s mission is to further its tech platform, Yuniverse, to provide digital services with ‘greater reach and connectivity to students globally’.
Yugo is the operator of over 110 student living spaces located in nine countries with over 40,000 student beds in over 70 of the top cities in the world for higher education.
It is part of The Dot Group, founded by Nicholas Porter, a pioneer in global student living with more than 30 years of experience.
Christopher Holloway, who is said to be a ‘pivotal force behind Yugo’s growth’, has been promoted to chief business development officer (CBDO), to deliver on Yugo’s strategic growth plans, new market entry and integration. His key focus areas are third party management, executing on diversified strategies across operational, brand management and franchising. He joined in 2012.
Rui Barros, CEO, said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Joe to Yugo. His decades of experience across student and residential markets, from both the investor and operational perspective, will be invaluable as we continue to grow and strengthen the Yugo brand.’
‘Christopher has successfully driven Yugo forward into new markets and will continue as we expand our global reach, further solidifying our position as the leader in the global student housing market.’
