The Investment Property Forum Appoints New Chairperson and Vice Chair– Delancey CIO Lancaster and CMS Partner Thomas
January 03, 2024, London: The Investment Property Forum (IPF) is delighted to announce the appointment of Stafford Lancaster, Chief Investment Officer of Delancey, as national Chair. He has assumed the role from Graeme Rutter, Head of Investment Advisory at CBRE.
The IPF is also pleased to announce the appointment of Clare Thomas, Partner at CMS, as Vice Chair and Honorary Treasurer.
The IPF is an individual membership organisation for those operating in UK commercial real estate investment. It is dedicated to enhancing the understanding and efficiency of property as an investment.
Commenting on his appointment, Stafford Lancaster said: “I am honoured to take on the Chair of the IPF Board. This is a time of significant challenge for many of our members and sponsors in the UK real estate investment market, albeit with inherent value and opportunities for those sufficiently informed and equipped to deliver it.
The IPF’s ability to convene leaders who advocate for responsible investment and development against all headwinds is what makes the organisation so important. I thank Graeme Rutter for his dedicated tenure as Chair and eagerly anticipate the challenges we will all overcome and the successes we will enjoy together.”
Commenting on her appointment, Clare Thomas said: “I am excited to be working alongside Stafford in the role of Vice Chair, continuing my long association with the IPF.
Together with the leadership team, I look forward to navigating the evolving landscape of investment property with dedication and innovation. We will collaborate with members to ensure the organisation reflects the richness of our diverse experiences and expertise, and also builds upon the progress made by previous Chairs.”
Stafford, who joined in 2000, works on Delancey’s overall fund and asset level strategies. Historically focused on London offices, in more recent years he has led the residential (Get Living plc), education (Alpha Plus Group) and mixed-use development (Earls Court Development Company) programmes. He’s also responsible for relationships with major co-investment partners including APG and Oxford Properties, and he is a Trustee of the Reading Real Estate Foundation at Henley Business School.
Clare Thomas is a partner at law firm CMS which has the largest real estate team in Europe. She has experience acting for property companies, funds, institutions and investors on acquisitions, disposals, lettings and developments. She has particular experience working with Asian investors. Her transactional expertise spans a range of sectors including office, residential, student accommodation, hotel and retail. She also leads CMS’s annual thought leadership research report and is a regular speaker at industry events. She is a Trustee and Chair of the Estates Committee of Benenden School.
The IPF is proud to have around 1,800 members including fund managers, bankers, investment agents, researchers, lawyers, academics, actuaries and other related professionals.
Other external members of the IPF’s operational board include:
