Residential developer Vita Group has appointed the former Manchester City Council chief executive as non-executive chairman.
In the role, Sir Howard Bernstein will work on strategy direction of its customer-focused brands Vita Student, City Suites and a soon-to-be launched 鈥渓ive-work鈥 brand, the group said.
The group said his experience in urban regeneration as council chief executive will help it in its next stage of growth across the 海角视频 and overseas.
Vita Group CEO Mark Stott said Sir Howard鈥檚 guidance on international growth is an 鈥渋mmediate priority鈥.
Mr Stott said: 鈥淲e are privileged to have his unrivalled experience as we pursue ambitious projects across the 海角视频 and overseas.
鈥淪ir Howard鈥檚 guidance on our international growth strategy is an immediate priority for the group.鈥
The appointment follows the group鈥檚 recent announcement of a 拢600m investment deal with DWS.
The group said it has over 5,760 beds currently operational across 12 cities in the 海角视频 and more than 1,000 units in development and further schemes planned over the next three years, including its first international scheme.
Sir Howard said he is 鈥渄elighted鈥 about joining at a 鈥減ivotal stage of growth鈥.
He said: 鈥淐reating forward-thinking housing and spaces around the needs of cities is a critical enabler for economies to thrive, and it ensures a resilient business model as the needs of the urban environment continually evolve.
鈥淚 have been consistently impressed with the living experiences created by Vita Group, along with their pace of growth and commitment to placemaking.鈥
