British Land, the UK-listed commercial property owner and developer with a £15.8bn portfolio, has appointed Joanne McNamara as its next chief executive officer.
McNamara will join the company from Oxford Properties, the global real estate investor, developer and manager owned by Canadian pension fund OMERS, where she currently serves as Executive Vice President, Europe. She is expected to take up the role by the end of November.
McNamara brings more than 20 years of experience across investment, development and asset management, including 16 years at Oxford Properties.
New executive brings experience across office, retail and logistics assets
McNamara joined Oxford Properties in 2010 as one of the firm’s first London-based team members and went on to help build its European business. During her tenure, she oversaw investment and development transactions across office, retail, logistics and residential sectors, contributing to the growth of a portfolio with approximately £8bn in assets under management.
She is a member of Oxford’s Global Executive and Investment Committees and sits on the OMERS portfolio management committee. Until 2025, she also served as a non-executive director of ESR Group, the Asia-Pacific-focused logistics real estate platform.
Before joining Oxford, McNamara held roles at Hammerson and DTZ.
The two companies have previously worked together on the Leadenhall Building in the City of London, the office tower developed through a joint venture between British Land and Oxford Properties.
CEO change comes amid major development activity
McNamara takes over at a time when British Land is continuing work across several large-scale developments while maintaining its focus on central London offices and retail parks.
As of 31 March 2026, the company owned or managed a portfolio valued at £15.8bn, with British Land’s share standing at £10.1bn.
Among its largest projects is the Canada Water regeneration scheme in south-east London, a mixed-use development that forms a significant part of the company’s development pipeline.
In recent years, British Land has reshaped its portfolio around sectors it considers to have stronger operational fundamentals, while continuing to invest in development and asset management opportunities across its core markets.