Unite Group Reshuffles Executives to Focus on Top Universities

Unite Group reshuffled its executive committee to support a strategy focused on a smaller, higher-quality portfolio of student accommodation aligned with the United Kingdom's strongest universities. Chief executive Joe Lister stated that a smaller business would better align with strategic priorities and deliver savings while allowing for continued investment in key areas.

As part of the restructuring, the company appointed Paul Watson as managing director of operations, Will Atkinson as group property director, and Moray Notman as group commercial and higher education director. Conversely, chief operating officer Karan Khanna and group director of communications and corporate affairs Rebecca Vicary will leave the company in the coming months.

These leadership changes accompany a plan to dispose of £300m to £400m in assets this year, with £241m in disposals already completed. The shift follows significant financial volatility; the company reported a pre-tax profit loss of £417.1m for the six months ending June, a sharp decline from the £185.9m pre-tax profit recorded during the same period in 2025.