BNPPRE appoints top capital markets man to head Scotland operation

BNP Paribas Real Estate has appointed Gavin Willins as head of its Scottish operation, based in its Edinburgh office. The appointment comes as BNP Paribas Real Estate continues its ambitious expansion in the UK.

Gavin joins from CBRE where he has been a director in the capital markets team for eight years, based in Edinburgh. Prior to that he was at Jones Lang LaSalle for 14 years. Gavin will be responsible for capital markets across Scotland using his client relationships and extensive knowledge of the wider Scottish market.

Gavin’s clients include LaSalle IM, Cordea Savills, Standard Life and F&C REIT and his track record of deals includes the forward funding of a 778-room student accommodation at Napier University in Edinburgh for City Heart Developments; the purchase of a Nike Unit on Buchanan Street in Glasgow for LaSalle IM, the purchase of the IQ Building in Aberdeen for Aerium, and he is currently selling Carlton Square on behalf of Jaguar Capital.

John Slade, UK CEO of BNPPRE, comments: “Gavin’s appointment is essential to our growth plans in Scotland. He has a high profile in the market and an excellent investment pedigree. We see Edinburgh as an important location to have a strong market face in, to compliment our growing national and London capital markets teams and Gavin will help us to attract further talent to grow our Scottish offering.”

Former Edinburgh head Andy Cartmail remains a senior director and will be an integral part of the senior management team in Scotland going forward.

BNPPRE has made 12 senior director appointments recently including Andrew Meikle as head of Birmingham investment from CBRE, Mike Chadburn as director of international investment from Chadburn Macleod, Hugh White as senior investment director from LSH and James Keys as senior investment director from Capita Symonds.