Fusion Group, one of the UK’s largest privately-owned student accommodation (PBSA) developers and operators, has made four new senior appointments.
Existing board member, Paul Miles has been appointed as Group Construction Director, Julian Evans has been promoted and added to the board, while Fusion has also named two external advisors – Marcus Sperber, BlackRock’s former Managing Director and Head of Global Real Estate and Mishcon de Reya’s former Head of Real Estate, Nick Doffman.
Marcus and Nick both join as Strategic Advisors to the Board. Marcus is a Founder of NorthCroft Capital, a real estate investment and advisory business, and prior to that was at BlackRock for 17 years.
Nick, a Partner of 30 years at Mishcon de Reya and formerly a member of its Board and Head of Real Estate, brings extensive experience in structuring and negotiating UK and Pan-European real estate transactions – as well as being an accredited Executive Coach.
Julian Evans has been made Development Director at Fusion Group, having been Land and Planning Director, and has been promoted to the board as the firm expands its pipeline.
He brings over 15 years of experience in the built environment to his new role, where he will lead on planning and work closely with the acquisitions and construction teams.
Meanwhile, Paul Miles has been promoted to Group Construction Director, where he will be responsible for Fusion’s current pipeline while also contributing to the strategic growth of Fusion as a leading developer in the living sector.
With over 25 years in the property sector, Paul is a chartered quantity surveyor and has worked on all Fusion projects since 2013.
“These appointments reflect our commitment to diversifying perspectives in residential real estate. Marcus and Nick are long-term strategic advisors to me and the business, so it’s a pleasure to add two of real estate’s most respected names as advisors to our board.
“It’s a particular pleasure to promote Julian onto the board and expand Paul’s remit as Group Construction Director, in recognition of their work in shaping Fusion into the business it is today.
“By promoting from within and bringing in external advisors, we’re strengthening our leadership and governance structures to enable the next stage in Fusion’s ambitious growth plans within Europe’s living sector.”
Nigel Henry, CEO and Co-Founder, Fusion Group
Fusion is currently on-site with five developments in Brent Cross, Liverpool, Nottingham, Manchester and Birmingham, with the first three expected to be operational and welcoming students in time for the 2025/26 academic year.
Founded in 2006, Fusion acquired its first site for PBSA in Bristol in 2010. Since then, the company has designed, delivered, operated and successfully exited over 5,000 beds across 11 high-quality schemes.
As of October 2024, the company has a pipeline worth £2.2bn in gross development value (DGV), which will deliver over 10,000 beds across 12 sites in the UK
Fusion has worked with some of the biggest names in global real estate including Related Argent, Lone Star Funds, Cheyne Capital and Cain International.
Fusion Group also recently completed the acquisition of a landmark Glasgow building, from Marks & Spencer’s, in a deal worth £150m.
