Get Living, the UK’s most experienced and progressive build-to-rent developer and operator of large-scale neighbourhoods, announces the promotion of Ailish Christian-West to Chief Operating Officer.
As COO, she will continue to provide strategic leadership to portfolio management, development and ESG, retaining her current team structure and reporting into CEO, Rick De Blaby, as Get Living continues to grow.
Since joining Get Living in 2020, Ailish has built a highly performing and diverse real estate team of 20 people. Under Ailish’s leadership, the team has delivered a material increase in the portfolio value, taken on responsibility for all development projects, created a more vibrant commercial retail offer and built enhanced capability around research insight and analysis.
Ailish remains chair of Get Living’s ESG Committee, leading the company’s strategy for a Net Zero Future. The business is focused on delivering low carbon living across the portfolio with energy efficient homes, biodiverse public realm, strong community connections and access to excellent transport.
Placemaking is a key focus of Get Living’s ESG agenda and Ailish has had great success in spearheading a rigorous placemaking strategy typified by the creation of The Lab E20, a retail unit in Get Living’s East Village neighbourhood that brings together emerging, local and global innovators in fashion, tech and design to share their principles of sustainable living with the local community.
Rick de Blaby, CEO, Get Living, said: “Ailish’s extensive portfolio management and operational expertise has seen her advance our maturing assets into the next era of growth and accelerated our pipeline further since she joined the business two years ago. She has really pushed Get Living to maintain our pioneering and innovative status in this sector by ensuring that our real estate – from home design, buildings, public realm and retail mix to our ESG impact – continues to perform for residents and investors alike.”
On her promotion, Ailish added: “I am excited to accept the role of COO at this important moment for Get Living and the build-to-rent sector in the UK. As the business approaches its ten year anniversary, Get Living has an opportunity to make a real impact in providing the rental supply that is so desperately needed. I look forward to continuing to work with my talented colleagues and partners who are passionate about creating sustainable, thriving neighbourhoods across the UK and delivering Get Living’s ambitious growth plans.”
Ailish joined Get Living from Landsec in 2020 where she spent 12 years of her career. Prior to joining Landsec, Ailish spent ten years in fund management, including roles at La Salle Investment Management and Invista. She is also a former President of Revo, a placemaking and retail property organisation, which represents all stakeholders in the retail property sector, including property owners, retailers and local authorities.
