Shaftesbury : appoints Matt Thompson to the new role of Head of Property Insights

Shaftesbury PLC, the Real Estate Investment Trust which owns a 16-acre portfolio in the heart of London's West End, is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Thompson to the newly created role of Head of Property Insights.

The role will see him provide cross sector and consumer insights to help drive the portfolio curation strategy, as well as support the performance of Shaftesbury's occupiers across the portfolio. Matt will further enhance and expand Shaftesbury's in-house research capability and build on its existing data, tools and partnerships to anticipate and respond effectively to emerging commercial challenges and opportunities.

Matt joins Shaftesbury from Colliers, where most recently he was Head of Retail Strategy. With over a decade of specialist expertise, working for and on behalf of some of the UK's best-known retailers, restaurant & leisure operators, landlords and investors, Matt brings a deep understanding of data analytics and the delivery of strategic insights in the property sector. In his previous role he was frequently required to utilise unique data sets and modelling techniques to support the delivery of innovative research into occupier affordability and consumer behaviour.

Brian Bickell, Chief Executive, commented:

'Matt's in-depth understanding of our industry, its customers and domestic and international consumer trends, combined with his extensive experience, is a great addition to our skillsets and local knowledge, which enables us to continue to develop our research capabilities and evolve our highly-regarded curation strategies for our popular West End villages.'

Matt Thompson, Head of Property Insights, said:

'I am thrilled to be joining a team that I have respected and worked closely with for some time. As we emerge from the pandemic disruption, I am excited to have the opportunity to build on the work Shaftesbury has been doing to support of their occupiers and contribute to shaping the future of its unrivalled West End portfolio.'

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Notes for Editors

For further information: MHP Communications 020 3128 8193 Hannah Walsh / Charles Hirst

About Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury owns and manages a 16-acre property portfolio in the liveliest parts of London's West End. The portfolio comprises of restaurants, cafés, pubs and shops, extending to apartments and offices in the highly popular, sought-after and prosperous locations of Carnaby, Seven Dials and Chinatown, together with substantial ownerships in East and West Covent Garden, Soho and Fitzrovia.

All our properties are close to the main West End Underground stations, and within ten minutes' walk of the two West End transport hubs for the Elizabeth Line, at Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street.

@shaftesburyplc shaftesbury.co.uk