BNP Paribas Real Estate appoints Etienne Prongué as UK CEO as Andy Martin steps into international role

On the 1st July this year BNP Paribas Real Estate UK will see a change at the top table with Andy Martin taking up a wider International Business Development role reporting to Group CEO, Thierry Laroue-Pont, and UK Deputy CEO and Head of Commercial, Etienne Prongué stepping up as UK Chief Executive Officer.

A member of the real estate firm’s executive board, Prongué has been with the business for over 14 years and was responsible for the successful growth of the BNPPRE International Investment Group (IIG). The IIG team has specialists situated across Europe, Middle East and Asia and in Hong Kong and Dubai. 

Over the last three years Prongué and Martin have worked together closely to shape the UK business following the merger with Strutt & Parker. A move, which brought two leading real estate companies together to create a new major player in the market.

Etienne Prongué & Andy Martin ©BNP Paribas Real Estate

Andy Martin said: “It has been an honour to lead Strutt & Parker and BNP Paribas Real Estate through these last 10 transformational years.  

The merger has allowed us to create a powerful nationwide offering across the full property lifecycle. Three years on, our people’s combined expertise is helping our clients to shape the future of real estate and the places we live, work and visit. I’m proud of the business we have built and what we have achieved.

The time is now right to start a new exciting chapter in my career using the knowledge and connections I have built up over 40 years in industry, and the extensive service offer of BNP Paribas Group to bring unique, holistic solutions to clients across the world.  

Etienne’s in-depth knowledge of the UK and European business, his extensive network of international investor connections along with a tireless passion for excellence makes him the perfect candidate to lead BNP Paribas Real Estate UK into the future.”

Etienne Prongué said: “Over the last 15 years BNP Paribas Real Estate has grown into a €1bn business across Europe. The UK is a strategically important market and it’s where we see significant opportunities. I am excited to be leading the business through this next phase in our growth.

“Andy has been a great mentor, enabling me to quickly re-establish myself in the UK after 12 years away.  I am looking forward to working with Andy in his new role and seeing him bring more of BNP Paribas’ capabilities to clients globally. ”

Thierry Laroue-Pont, CEO BNP Paribas Real Estate said: "I’d like to thank Andy and Etienne for managing the UK business through a smooth integration and delivering a clear strategy for the future.  Since the merger three years ago they have been building strong foundations for the combined BNP Paribas Real Estate and Strutt & Parker business,  I wish them both every success in their new roles".

To support the new leadership, and the future strategy of the UK business a series of senior appointments have been made including:

Stephen Wolfe, (Head of Valuation) takes on an expanded role replacing Prongué as Head of Commercial. In addition, John McLarty, (Head of Planning), joins the Commercial Executive Committee as Head of Development and Planning.  In the Residential part of the business Louis Harding and Kate Eales will be stepping into new leadership roles.