The Board of Revo, the organisation that represents the UK’s £360 billion retail property and placemaking sector, has appointed Vivienne King to the position of CEO.
King brings more than 30 years of business, advisory and real estate industry experience and joins from Soho Housing Association, where she has been chief executive for the last three and a half years.
Vivienne will replace Ed Cooke, who recently announced his intention to step down from the organisation after 11 years, in March 2020.
Mark Robinson, Revo President said: “The calibre of the candidates who we interviewed for the position of CEO is a testament to the leading role Revo is now playing in the industry. We’re very pleased to be appointing an industry leader with a fabulous track record in commercial delivery, but more importantly someone who shares our collective vision and values. Additionally, Vivienne’s background in helping shape government policy will maintain and enhance Revo’s voice at this crucial time.”
Vivienne King, incoming Revo CEO said: “Revo is a highly respected organisation working across a range of sectors which play a vital part in the UK economy and the day to day lives of people who live, work or visit here. We are navigating challenging times, but I am very much looking forward to bringing my own experience to the skills of the team, the board and membership of Revo, to map out and deliver an exciting strategic agenda supporting a bright future for our urban centres.”
Soho Housing is dedicated to providing affordable homes in central London where Vivienne was responsible for transforming the culture and revitalising the business model with a new corporate strategy, vision and core values. Prior to that she spent more than 20 years at The Crown Estate, latterly on the management committee as director of business operations and general counsel where she led business delivery from London and in Scotland.
Alongside this, Vivienne became a founder and chair of Real Estate Balance, the leading membership organisation campaigning for gender diversity at senior levels in real estate. She also serves on the boards of Women’s Pioneer Housing Trust; Westminster Property Association’s housing committee; and the Soho Neighbourhood Forum Steering Group.
Revo has over 2,300 members ranging from sole traders to FTSE 100 companies, and organisations in the private and public sectors. Through its proactive campaigns, forging of effective partnerships, lobbying, events, education programme and media profile, Revo aims to promote and facilitate the growth and development of the retail property industry, which is vital to the UK economy.
Over recent years the organisation has strategically evolved with the sector, in recognition of the new role that retail and leisure plays in creating and sustaining vibrant local communities where people can live, work and play. To that end, it has been a stand out voice on the reforms required to support the long term health of the UK’s high streets and town centres, including the current business rates system.
The Revo annual dinner and Gold Awards takes place in London on Wednesday 4 December, when Ailish Christian-West, head of property at Landsec, will also commence her 12-month term as Revo President, taking over from Mark Robinson.
