Vita’s Hayes becomes resi director
Russell Hayes has been promoted to director of residential after 17 years with the business.
In his new role, Hayes will lead the group’s residential portfolio, including Vita Living’s Circle Square apartments in Manchester and Vita’s new co-living brand Union, which is targeting the delivery of 1,600 homes at the emerging St John’s district close to Spinningfields when it opens in 2024.
Hayes began his career at Select Property Group, Vita founder and chief executive Mark Stott’s sister company, in 2007, rising from sales manager to investor relations director until this month.
During this time, he has been involved in major institutional investments for the group, such as German asset manager DWS’s £600m acquisition of Vita’s student accommodation assets in 2019. He has also helped launch several new brands for Vita Group and Select Property over the course of his tenure.
Hayes was also part of the team that launched Vita Living’s Circle Square apartments, part of the wider Circle Square masterplan for central Manchester.
His appointment as director will see Hayes solely work for Vita Group, stepping away from Select Property. He will aim to build upon his work as investor relations director over the past three years as the group targets future growth of its UK residential portfolio and development pipelines.
Said Stott: “Russell has been a trusted employee delivering outstanding results since he joined the business, proving himself every step of the way.
“He will now lead the group’s residential portfolio at an incredibly exciting time for the business with new brands about to launch to market and new cities in the pipeline.
“We’re sure that Russell will continue to develop and exceed expectations as he helps drive the business forward.”