The British Property Federation (BPF) has appointed Ghislaine Halpenny (pictured) as its Director of Communications. The newly created role replaces that of Head of Communications and Public Affairs, previously held by Patrick Clift who is now Director of UK Public Relations at BNP Paribas Real Estate.
Halpenny currently acts as Assistant Director for Planning and Development at the BPF, but as of September will head up an executive team dedicated to building the profile of the industry and promoting its benefits to the government and other stakeholders. In addition, Halpenny will continue to be responsible for directing the organisation’s planning policy work, reflecting likely overlaps of interest.
BPF chief executive Melanie Leech believes Halpenny is the ideal candidate for the role. She says; “I am delighted to welcome Ghislaine to her new role as Director of Communications.
“We had a strong field for the role and it is a great testament to Ghislaine and to BPF that she came through strongly throughout the process.
“This appointment will allow BPF to drive forward its communications strategy championing the real estate sector whilst also retaining Ghislaine’s policy expertise, which is sought after and valued by a wide range of BPF’s members and stakeholders.”
During her six years working for the BPF, Halpenny has amassed a wealth of experience in overseeing public affairs strategies within the real estate industry, particularly in the fields of development and regeneration policy.
Furthermore, she worked with the government throughout the process of introducing the National Planning Policy Framework and Community Infrastructure Levy, along with coordinating the BPF’s regional engagement programme and overseeing the creation of a new committee designed to represent the industrial sector’s interests to the Government.
Halpenny believes that the time is right to raise the profile of the real estate sector and is looking forward to the challenge.
She says; “This is a really exciting time to be taking on a new role as the Director of Communications at the BPF.
“With a new Government in place and some exciting changes for the real estate industry on the horizon, now is the perfect time to champion and build the profile of the industry.
“I’m delighted to be able to build on my experience in working with Government over the last few years, particularly in the planning and regeneration fields, and to take forward a number of the key campaigns for the BPF.”
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