Last checked at 6 Aug 2021 14:45
DERWENT LONDON PLC
("the Company")
BOARD CHANGES
Appointment of Sanjeev Sharma
Derwent London is pleased to announce the appointment of Sanjeev Sharma, who will be joining the Board as an independent Non-Executive Director with effect from 1 October 2021. Upon appointment, Sanjeev will become a member of the Risk, Audit and Nominations Committees.
Sanjeev Sharma is Chief Property Portfolio Officer at M&G Real Estate - a leading financial solutions provider for global real estate investors, which is part of M&G plc's £67.2 billion Private & Alternative Assets division. Sanjeev has significant experience in the real estate sector and financial services, is a member of the Real Estate Balance board and chairs the People in Property group.
Sanjeev Sharma was previously a Non-Executive Director of Urban & Civic PLC, a publicly quoted company, for the period May 2019 to January 2021. There is no further information to be disclosed pursuant to LR 9.6.13R in respect to this directorship.
Retirement of Simon Fraser
After nine years on the Board, Simon Fraser will retire from his position as a Non-Executive Director of the Company on 31 October 2021. Simon is the Company's Senior Independent Director and Helen Gordon, Non-Executive Director of the Company since 2018, will be appointed Senior Independent Director on Simon's retirement. Helen is a chartered surveyor and is Chief Executive Officer of Grainger plc.
Mark Breuer, Chairman said:
"We are delighted that Sanjeev is joining the Board of Derwent London. His extensive knowledge of the real estate market will enable him to make a valuable contribution to our Group. I am also looking forward to working even more closely with Helen Gordon in her new role as Senior Independent Director."
Paul Williams, Chief Executive said:
"On behalf of my fellow directors, I would like to thank Simon for his considerable contribution to Derwent London. As Chair of the Nominations Committee, Simon has guided the Board during its recent succession changes. We wish him every success in the future."
D A Lawler
Company Secretary
Enquiries:
Company Secretary
020 7659 3000
www.derwentlondon.com
6 August 2021
Notes to editors
Derwent London plc
Derwent London plc owns 83 buildings in a commercial real estate portfolio predominantly in central London valued at £5.4 billion (including joint ventures) as at 31 December 2020, making it the largest London-focused real estate investment trust (REIT).
Our experienced team has a long track record of creating value throughout the property cycle by regenerating our buildings via development or refurbishment, effective asset management and capital recycling.
We typically acquire central London properties off-market with low capital values and modest rents in improving locations, most of which are either in the West End or the Tech Belt. We capitalise on the unique qualities of each of our properties - taking a fresh approach to the regeneration of every building with a focus on anticipating tenant requirements and an emphasis on design.
Reflecting and supporting our long-term success, the business has a strong balance sheet with modest leverage, a robust income stream and flexible financing.
As part of our commitment to lead the industry in mitigating climate change, Derwent London has committed to becoming a net zero carbon business by 2030, publishing its pathway to achieving this goal in July 2020. In 2019 the Group became the first UK REIT to sign a Revolving Credit Facility with a 'green' tranche. At the same time, we also launched our Green Finance Framework and signed the Better Buildings Partnership's climate change commitment. The Group is a member of the 'RE100' which recognises Derwent London as an influential company, committed to 100% renewable power by purchasing renewable energy, a key step in becoming a net zero carbon business. Derwent London is one of only a few property companies worldwide to have science-based carbon targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Landmark schemes in our 5.6 million sq ft portfolio include 80 Charlotte Street W1, Brunel Building W2, White Collar Factory EC1, Angel Building EC1, 1-2 Stephen Street W1, Horseferry House SW1 and Tea Building E1.
In January 2021, Derwent London came top of the Property Sector and 10th position overall in Management Today's Britain's Most Admired Companies awards 2020. In the year the Group has won several awards for Brunel Building with the most prominent being the BCO Best Commercial Workplace award. In 2019 the Group won EG Offices Company of the Year, the CoStar West End Deal of the Year for Brunel Building and Westminster Business Council's Best Achievement in Sustainability award. In 2013 the Company launched a voluntary Community Fund and has to date supported well over 100 community projects in the West End and the Tech Belt.
The Company is a public limited company, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange and incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The address of its registered office is 25 Savile Row, London, W1S 2ER.
For further information see www.derwentlondon.com or follow us on Twitter at @derwentlondon
About Real Estate Balance
Real Estate Balance is a membership organisation working to improve diversity and inclusion in the real estate industry.
Learn more at www.realestatebalance.org
People in Property (PiP)
People in Property is a group of Human Resources Directors within the real estate sector sharing strategic HR best practices to effect positive change for the real estate sector. The group comprises 27 firms across all spectrums of the sector including REITs/Asset Managers/Consultants/Private Companies.