New chief executive at the BCO

The British Council for Offices (BCO) has appointed former EG editor and well-known advocate for the real estate sector, Samantha McClary, as its new Chief Executive.

McClary will take up the position from 6 May, succeeding Richard Kauntze, who has held the position for over 25 years, guiding the BCO through transformative growth and evolution.

During Kauntze’s time as Chief Executive, the BCO’s membership has grown from 585 to more than 4,000. NextGen members (those who are 35 and under) now represent over a quarter of the BCO’s membership as a whole.

McClary has more than 20 years’ experience in the real estate sector, championing and challenging it through the pages of one of the sector’s core publications, Estates Gazette.

In her new role, she will seek to build on Kauntze’s achievements by working to grow the BCO’s membership further and to amplify its role as a guiding light for the workspace sector.

As a leading advocate for diversity, inclusion and talent, McClary will also seek to further grow the BCO’s NextGen membership and activities, with a focus on collaboration across sectors to ensure the future of the real estate sector remains in safe hands and continues to deliver the places our businesses, people and planet deserve.

Speaking about her new appointment, McClary said: “The workplace has been through such a transformation, accelerated by Covid, but remains such an important element of our built environment. Where and how we work plays a vital role in building community. Our workplaces have a unique ability to bring people together, to enable innovation and collaboration. How we design and build these spaces has a phenomenal impact on people and the planet.

“It is vital that we support this important industry and make sure that everyone understands the role it plays in supporting economic growth, in creating community and in helping solve the climate crisis. This is why I’m excited and honoured to be taking up this role and to be working with the BCO Presidential team and the whole of the BCO membership to ensure the UK workspace sector leads and gets the recognition it deserves.”

Kauntze, commented: “It has been an honour and a pleasure to hold the role of chief executive of the BCO for more than 25 years.  I am delighted to be handing over the reins to Sam, and I know that she will do an excellent job of guiding the organisation through the years to come.

“It is a real testament to the strength and ingenuity of our membership that the BCO has continued to grow and adapt in response to challenges such as the financial crisis, hybrid working, and, more recently, the rise of AI. The office continues to play a vital role in the greater ecosystem of towns and cities, and it is with anticipation and excitement that I will be watching this new chapter for the BCO unfold under the leadership of its new chief executive and formidable presidential team.”

Peter Crowther, President, British Council for Offices, added: “Sam has been at the forefront of the sector for years, not just working to champion the best of its achievements but working to challenge its limits and seek out avenues for progress where needed. I look forward to working alongside Sam as we continue the BCO’s work of helping the sector achieve its best.

“My heartfelt thanks go to Richard for his years of service to the BCO, a sentiment which I know is shared by the wider membership. Richard has been synonymous with the BCO for as long as I can remember and his tireless work has been instrumental in seeing the organisation grow and establish its place as a rigorous and respected source of guidance, support and progress.”