Xenia Estates makes appointment and promotions
The Manchester-based specialist property management firm has appointed Michelle Cliffe as head of estates and Benedict Lane as head of compliance and risk.
Michelle will have overall operational responsibility for a nationwide portfolio ranging from residential, mixed-use and specialist student accommodation.
She brings more than 20 years of experience in property management having previously held senior positions at Regenda Group, Residential Management Group Limited and HLM Property Management. Most recently, Michelle was head of residential block management at Berkeley Shaw in Liverpool.
The investment in a new head of estates is part of Xenia Estates’ ambitions to transform its team structures, enhance customer service, and enable future growth.
One growth area will involve the company’s dedicated lettings arm, Xenia Lettings, which will enter the residential market this year, with plans to open regional branches, starting with Sunderland.
Xenia Estates has also established an in-house compliance team to maintain and enhance all compliance standards across its entire portfolio in line with current legislation.
Benedict Lane has been promoted to head of compliance and risk.
The compliance team is embarking on a procurement exercise across all key areas to ensure that fully accredited and competent contractors are onboarded to provide value-for-money, high-quality safety assessments for all buildings that Xenia manages.
To support company growth, sector positioning, and new business, Jennifer Brown has been promoted to head of sales and marketing, overseeing all internal and external communications activity for the firm.
Michelle Cliffe said: “Our aim is to build on our company profile in the markets and industries where we provide an exemplary property management service.
“The goal this year and beyond is to enhance our national residential portfolio and increase our client base exponentially. As head of estates, I’m looking forward to supporting our talented asset managers to increase our market reach and expertise.”
Benedict Lane added: “Our strategic investment in a dedicated, in-house compliance function reflects the need to be on the front foot more than ever before when it comes to ensuring the safety of our buildings – and the people who occupy them.
“The Building Safety Act represents a significant challenge for the property management sector – one that our direct workforce of compliance specialists is meeting head on.”
This stage of hires is the first recruitment drive of Xenia Estates since Nicola Murray and Gemma Latham were appointed as directors last year.
Xenia Estates looks after 39 developments nationwide, comprising of over 4,200 units and growing.
