Real estate developer and operator General Projects has made three senior promotions and named four strategic recruits ahead of plans to grow into new sectors.
Frederic Schwass is promoted to chief development officer, having initially joined in 2016. General Projects said he will "continue to grow the team’s development capabilities", focusing on diversifying portfolio with projects in the hotel and housing sectors.
The firm added Schwass has supported its growth from start-up to an established name in the property sector, helping to solidify its retrofit-first approach and use of mass-timber for building extensions.
Adam Brady is made head of investment, having moved from the Canary Wharf Group in 2021. General Projects said he will focus on driving the growth of its investment strategies, leading and executing new opportunities.
He has led partnerships with a number of leading investment companies during his time at the firm, including BlackRock, KKR, LaSalle Investment Management and Angelo Gordon across the portfolio.
Raquel Guirado Sanchez is the third General Projects employee to be promoted, becoming creative director. She will focus on the company’s wider brand strategy and "proposition for end users".
The first of the four recruits is Rob Selwyn, who joins from Derwent to become asset manager. The firm said he will "drive the day-to-day management" of the Heal’s building, Highgate Studios and Storybox.
Joining from the Savills development management team, Joe Peake enters as development manager and will oversea the delivery of key projects for the firm, such as 43 Brook Green and Singer Studios.
Sam Stark, previously analyst at Mileway, and Diogo Vicente Oliveria, who joins from Revantage, are recruited as portfolio analysts. They have combined experience in managing large-scale, complex portfolios, strengthening General Projects’ portfolio management capabilities.
The hires mean the company has grown its team by 30% in the past 18 months, with its development portfolio increasing by 40% to circa £2.5 billion in the same time.
Jacob Loftus, General Projects founder and CEO, said in a statement: "This combination of new hires, plus well-deserved recognition for Fred, Adam and Raquel, allows us to keep growing and evolving as a business as we continue our push for greater purpose in real estate development.
"The General Projects mission will always be about continuing to champion the creative reuse of underused assets, but we are excited to move into the next phase of the brand by building out our sector expertise from workplaces to hospitality and residential projects."