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Executive Search
Access senior real estate leaders through GKR International's executive search and C-suite recruitment practice.
Securing leadership that drives performance:
In real estate, senior hires shape more than teams; they shape strategy, performance, and growth. A strong Head of Residential, Investment Director, or Managing Director can transform revenue, culture, and operational efficiency.
GKR has recruited exclusively in real estate since 2010. Across the team, we carry over 80 years of combined sector experience, including time spent working within property businesses before moving into recruitment. We work as an extension of the client's team throughout every search: regular contact, agreed milestones, defined outcomes, and a personal stake in getting it right.
Executive Search is the right approach when:
- The role is strategic or business-critical
- Talent pools are competitive or niche
- Confidentiality matters for internal or market reasons
- Cultural alignment is as important as technical ability
- A mis-hire would have a material impact on revenue, growth, or reputation
Whether you’re scaling, entering a new market, or preparing for acquisition, these hires need a targeted approach.
The process:
We start by understanding your business objectives, growth plans, team structure, and market position. The aim is to define the right leadership profile, not just the role title. If we think the brief needs adjusting before we go to market, we will advise accordingly.
Using our property network, we identify active and passive candidates across your sector and adjacent markets. We headhunt directly, disclosing only what is necessary at each stage to protect your position.
Every candidate is assessed for commercial impact, sector knowledge, leadership capability, and cultural fit before appearing in front of the client. Shortlists are selective and ready for informed decision-making, each with a written assessment alongside the CV.
We manage the offer process, including any negotiation and counter-offer handling, and stay in contact with the placed candidate through their notice period and first months in post.
Roles we place:
- Managing Directors & Regional Directors
- Heads of Residential / Lettings
- Investment & Development Directors
- Finance Directors / CFOs
- Property Management Heads
- Board & Advisory roles
Our clients span the full breadth of the sector: independent agencies, multi-branch operators, property developers, institutional investors, fund managers, managing agents, and professional services businesses within real estate.
Recent Appointments:
The brief: A European real estate investment trust required a Finance Director with experience across multi-jurisdictional fund structures and institutional investor reporting. The appointment needed to be made without any public advertising of the vacancy.
Outcome: GKR ran a confidential retained search, approaching candidates directly across the fund management and real estate investment sector. The role was filled by a candidate identified through the search rather than through open market activity.
The brief: An international investment management and advisory firm needed a Managing Director to lead its property management operation. The brief called for senior leadership experience, a track record in growing a managed portfolio, and the credibility to represent the function at board level.
Outcome: GKR worked closely with the client's leadership team throughout, with agreed milestones and regular progress updates at each stage. The appointed candidate came from within the managed property sector and has been in post since placement.
The brief: A PCL agency required a Director to lead a specific London sales office, with the gravitas to develop client relationships at the top end of the market and the commercial instinct to drive performance.
Outcome: The search was conducted with full confidentiality. GKR presented a shortlist of candidates with direct PCL experience at the appropriate level, and the role was placed from within that shortlist.
The brief: A luxury buying agency expanding its lettings offer needed a Lettings Director with experience at the prime and super-prime end of the market. The calibre of the appointment needed to reflect the standing of the business.
Outcome: GKR sourced candidates through direct approach within the prime London lettings market. The appointment was made on retained terms, with the placed candidate coming from a comparable role at a business of similar standing.
Our clients
Why choose GKR:
All searches are managed with full discretion, protecting your strategy and your market position throughout the process.
We are property specialists with over 80 years of combined sector experience across the team, including direct experience working within the industry before moving into recruitment. In practice this means:
- We understand the revenue drivers and operational pressures your candidates have lived with
- We speak the same language as clients and candidates at every level of the sector
- We advise on market benchmarks, compensation structure, and cultural fit based on genuine knowledge
- We bring credibility to every approach we make on your behalf
Reputation is everything to us. Our loyal team ensures consistent service for every client. Every new search marks the beginning of a long-term partnership.
Common Questions
GKR has operated exclusively in real estate since 2010. The team carries over 80 years of combined sector experience, including consultants who have worked within property businesses themselves. We have placed Finance Directors, Managing Directors, Investment Directors, and Lettings and Property Management leadership across the full breadth of the sector.
Every search begins with a proper briefing: a conversation with the relevant decision-makers about the context of the vacancy, the business at that point in its development, and what good looks like at twelve months. We agree a clear brief before going to market, and we will tell you if we think anything in it needs adjusting first.
We work in one sector only. That focus is what gives us access to candidates who are not on the open market and relationships at the senior level that take years to build. Because of our team's structure and longevity, clients work with the same consultant throughout the process. Account managers remain invested in supporting our clients' goals as an extension of their business.
We agree the brief, map the market, approach candidates directly, assess each one against the profile, present a selective shortlist with written assessments, manage the interview process on both sides, and handle the offer and transition. You have a clear picture of progress at every stage, not just at the end.
Most searches complete within eight to twelve weeks from brief to accepted offer. Some mandates at a senior level or in niche markets take longer. We agree a timeline at the start and flag any changes as the process develops.
Get in contact:
Head of Build to Rent - Exclusive Search
- GKR was instructed by the CEO to lead the search for a Head of BTR to lead a portfolio of award-winning developments.
- We worked closely with the client to assist them with the preparation of job descriptions and shared our market knowledge to ensure they competitively positioned themselves to attract the best talent.
- We then went to the market and presented our client with a shortlist of 5 candidates within one week of instruction, and coordinated three rounds of interviews.
- The successful candidate was onboarded three months later following their notice period.
Fast-growing Estate Agency
Portfolio Director - Exclusive Search
- GKR was instructed by the Head of Residential, JLL UK&I to secure Senior Portfolio Director on behalf of several of their BTR clients.
- Having conducted a market-mapping exercise with the client, they identified a shortlist of individuals for GKR to approach on their behalf.
- We successfully presented a shortlist of seven selected individuals and organised four first and second-stage interviews.
- The successful candidate was required to conduct a 6-month notice period; we supported JLL by offering our first-class aftercare services to ensure a smooth exit and onboarding.
International Real Estate Fund
Head of Sales - Exclusive Search
- GKR was asked to discreetly search for a Head of Sales for one of the most recognisable Agencies in London
- Due to the confidential nature of this search, approaches and conversations on behalf of the Client needed to be very targeted.
- Working in conjunction with the Talent Acquisition Team, GKR introduced a number of Candidates, along with internal considerations too.
- GKR successfully placed the Head of Sales, who was a long-term contact of the business, previously being a Hiring Client in their previous businesses.
International Residential Property Specialist
Business Development Manager - Exclusive Search
- GKR was exclusively instructed by Alliance Investments, to appoint a Business Development Manager for their growing London team.
- Alliance Investments is a leading property development company who offer investment opportunities throughout the UK.
- Headquartered in Manchester, Directors, Mallam Grant and Josh Steeples had the opportunity to grow a team to be based in the London office. Their first requirement was to appoint a Business Development Manager. Having struggled to find the right candidate through another recruitment agency, Alliance turned to GKR and proceeded dealings with Senior Consultant, Michael Cartmill.
- After gaining a comprehensive understanding of exactly what Alliance were seeking, we successfully placed a candidate within under three weeks of being instructed.
- Fast forward 4 months and it has proven to be a perfect match for both client and candidate as they thrive together.
Leading Property Development Company
Head of Sales - Retained Search
- GKR was retained to hire a Head of Sales on behalf of Solomon Investment Partners in their Chester Office.
- We worked closely with them to ensure they could attract a likeminded individual to strengthen their focus within the Property Investment Market.
- GKR provided a shortlist of recommended industry professionals curated via our referral network; a final candidate was selected following the second round of interviews.
- Due to a short notice period, the candidate was able to onboard swiftly and effectively having made some great progress already.
Fast-growing Property Investment Consultancy
Head of Residential/HR Manager - Exclusive Search
- GKR was instructed by the Head of Residential/HR Manager of Northacre to secure a Completions Manager for their Broadway and no1 Palace Street luxury developments.
- Speaking through the requirements in detail with the HR Manager, we were instructed exclusively on the role looking to build on our previous success in placing a Lettings Manager.
- The talent pool was relatively small we successfully presented a shortlist of 3 selected individuals and organised first and second-stage interviews, the search was concluded quickly.
- The successful candidate was immediately available and started one week after being offered the job fulfilling the urgent need for this hire.
Leading Premium Property Developer
We specialise in five key sectors
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Commercial
The commercial team provide permanent and contract services to leading property and construction consultancies in the Private & Public Sectors as well as developers, banks and funds.
Read more.
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Residential
With experienced consultants and ex-property professionals in one team, they are market experts working with High Street Agents, Corporate giants, Developers and Investment Agencies.
Read more.
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Property Management
With first-hand experience in the field, we represent estate agencies, managing agents, private investment portfolios, commercial mixed-use developments, facilities services, student accommodation providers, and investment funds, supplying expert property management professionals tailored to their specific needs.
Read more.
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Built Environment
The team have worked hard to develop long standing relationships with practices ranging in size, niche and specialism throughout the design and build industry delivering both permanent and professional interim/contract solutions.
Read more.
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Professional Services
We recruit professionals in finance, legal, compliance, advisory, administration, and sustainability for estate agencies, managing agents, private portfolios, commercial developments, student housing, and investment funds.
Read more.
Head of Asset Management: Retained
- GKR was retained to assist with the search for a new Head of Asset Management.
- We were given a 10-week timeline to onboard the new starter in line with the predecessor's departure date, whilst offering a period for handover.
- We were tasked with a direct, pre-identified headhunt and additionally sourced a shortlist of three other suitable candidates.
- Having coordinated interviews for all candidates, the successful candidate was onboarded following their 2 months’ notice.
- We have subsequently placed two others from the interview process into the team.
Global Property Consultancy
Head of Acquisition – Retained Search
- GKR were retained with special mandate to secure a Head of Acquisition for a high growth private equity backed commerce business that had significant land requirement.
- Due to the nature of the business this presented a unique challenge in securing talent that would move away from tradition acquisition roles.
- We set out a process structure including personality testing with the successful candidate moving from a developer and embarking on the journey the client and GKR had laid out.
Commercial Business
Meet the executive search team:
Greg Hollis
Greg Hollis is Group CEO of Recruitment Entrepreneur, the investment platform backing GKR International. He brings more than 30 years’ experience across recruitment, investment and business growth, having worked with businesses at various stages of development. Greg supports GKR’s leadership team across strategy, performance and long-term growth, drawing on extensive experience of building and scaling recruitment businesses.
Grant Kaveney
Grant Kaveney founded GKR in 2010 following a successful career building recruitment businesses in South Africa. He established GKR with the ambition of creating a specialist recruitment business focused on the property and real estate sectors. Grant continues to provide strategic leadership across the business, with a focus on growth, client relationships and the continued development of GKR’s international executive search offering.
Rose Lock
Rose joined GKR in 2018, bringing more than 20 years’ experience within the property sector across the UK and Spain. She has developed a strong network across property management and has played a key role in growing GKR’s presence within the sector. Rose combines extensive market knowledge with a highly focused and relationship-led approach to recruitment. Her expertise extends across the real estate management sector, including temporary and permanent recruitment, executive search and international outsourcing.
Lee Riley
Lee joined GKR following almost seven years’ experience within the property sector, initially supporting the growth of the residential recruitment division. He has since developed extensive experience across property recruitment and senior-level appointments, working closely with clients and candidates throughout the market. Lee focuses on building long-term relationships and delivering RPO solutions, executive search, and international outsourced recruitment solutions aligned with both client requirements and real estate market conditions.
Ranjit Singh
Ranjit Singh is Group Managing Director of Recruitment Entrepreneur, the investment platform backing GKR International. He brings more than 20 years’ experience across the recruitment industry, spanning global corporates and high-growth businesses. Ranjit works closely with leadership teams across the Recruitment Entrepreneur portfolio, providing strategic and operational support across business growth, performance, structure and long-term planning.
Peter Wallis
Peter joined GKR in 2019 to build and expand the professional services recruitment division across the commercial and residential real estate sectors. He focuses on leadership and executive roles across marketing, finance, legal, technology, and design. His deep network connects top-tier market experts with a wide variety of business consultancies, property developers, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and agencies.
Michael Woda
Michael joined GKR in 2014 as one of the company’s first key hires, bringing eight years’ experience within residential property and leading London agencies. He has played a central role in developing GKR’s residential recruitment offering and launched the company’s Edinburgh office in 2024. Michael now leads residential recruitment across the North West, working closely with clients and candidates as a trusted recruitment partner, including fast-growth strategies and executive search appointments across the region.
Hamish Wright
Hamish Wright is Chief Financial Officer of Recruitment Entrepreneur, the investment platform backing GKR International. He brings more than a decade of international finance experience across recruitment, technology and private equity-backed businesses. Hamish supports the wider Recruitment Entrepreneur portfolio across financial strategy, reporting and performance, providing financial oversight as the businesses continue to grow.
