British Property Federation appoints Melanie Leech to lead £404bn commercial property industry
The British Property Federation has announced Melanie Leech, director general of the Food and Drink Federation, as its new chief executive.
Melanie, who joins the £404bn property industry after nine years at the helm of the trade body for the food manufacturing industry, will take up her new role in early 2015.
Prior to leading the FDF, Melanie held senior positions in government including director of communications at the Cabinet Office and head of broadcasting policy at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. She also served for three years as chief executive of the Association of Police Authorities.
She replaces outgoing chief executive Liz Peace, who is retiring next week after 12 years at the BPF. Liz will continue to work at the BPF on a part-time basis until the end of the year.
With just months until the next general election, the appointment comes at a crucial time for the property industry, which employs almost 900,000 people and contributes £42bn a year to UK GDP – equal to the telecoms and transport sectors combined.
Melanie said: “I am delighted to be joining the BPF at what is a crucial and hugely exciting time for the property industry. Having spent nine incredibly rewarding years engaging with the government and others to promote the contribution of the food and drink manufacturing industry, I am looking forward to a new challenge working with another key sector for the UK economy.
“The property industry provides a platform for virtually all business activity in the UK and will have a huge role to play in meeting the aspirations of the next government to boost growth, deliver homes and unlock investment in our towns and cities.”
