Blackstar Real Estate makes pair of appointments to advisory board
Blackstar Real Estate has appointed John Prestwich and Ojay McDonald to its advisory board.
John Prestwich brings over 30 years’ experience in retail asset and property management, having led teams at Cushman & Wakefield, CBRE, Montagu Evans, and Savills. His client base has included major institutional investors such as M&G, British Land, The Crown Estate, and Aviva, as well as local authorities and high-net-worth individuals.
Ojay McDonald is chief executive of the Association of Town & City Management, bringing experience in public policy, urban economics, and town centre regeneration. He works closely with government ministers, parliamentarians, the UK Cabinet Office, and industry leaders across a range of policy areas, including planning, transport, housing, retail, and climate resilience.
McDonald has played a leading role in national regeneration initiatives, including serving as co-chair of the Sector Leaders Group for the High Streets Task Force. He is also a board member of the International Downtown Association, advising governments and organisations globally on place management and urban development. His work also includes coordinating the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Town Centres.
These appointments follow Blackstar Real Estate’s recent recruitment of Natalia Rakowska as an asset manager, joining from Labtech.
Sabri Marsaoui of Blackstar Real Estate said: “John and Ojay have huge experience across retail asset management, placemaking and policy and will provide invaluable strategic insight as Blackstar continues to grow and support our clients in a rapidly evolving market.”