BNP Paribas Real Estate names Prongué CEO as Martin takes new role

BNP Paribas Real Estate has promoted Etienne Prongué, deputy chief executive of its UK business, to the top post, as Andy Martin takes on a new international business development role. Prongué will become chief executive of BNP Paribas Real Estate UK on 1 July, his latest role in more than 14 years with the firm. Martin was senior partner at Strutt & Parker when it merged with BNP Paribas Real Estate’s UK business in 2017 and then led the enlarged team. He will report to BNP Paribas Real Estate group chief executive Thierry Laroue-Pont. Prongué said: “Over the last 15 years BNP Paribas Real Estate has grown into a €1bn business across Europe. The UK is a strategically important market and it’s where we see significant opportunities.” Martin said: “It has been an honour to lead Strutt & Parker and BNP Paribas Real Estate through these last 10 transformational years. The merger has allowed us to create a powerful nationwide offering across the full property lifecycle.” Rumours had suggested that Prongué was preparing to step up to the chief executive post for some time. Asked about the chatter in an interview with EG last year, he said: “Andy is a well-weathered man in terms of experience, and he has been helping and assisting me here in the UK to develop and go forward. Right now [a change of CEO] is not on the plan. But it’s something I’ve thought about before. I’m bound to.” The firm has announced a string of other appointments in the UK business alongside Prongué’s promotion. Stephen Wolfe, head of valuation, is taking on an expanded role as head of commercial, a post Prongué had held alongside deputy chief executive. John McLarty, head of planning, will join the commercial executive committee as head of development and planning, while Louis Harding and Kate Eales will take on new leadership roles in the residential division. A successor to Prongué as deputy chief executive has not yet been announced. To send feedback, e-mail tim.burke@egi.co.uk or tweet @_tim_burke or @estatesgazette