Ascend Properties, one of the UK’s largest third-party operators of institutional build-to-rent homes, has appointed Maxwell Guthrie to the role of Head of Experience & Product.
Guthrie will be continuing the development of the firm’s experience strategies and products, collaborating with all departments to ensure a fully integrated offering. His initial focus will be to review Ascend’s customer experience platform, products and services, leveraging his experience in the serviced accommodation and multi-family sectors.
His arrival follows the recent senior appointments of Paul Borrmann as Managing Director and Lee Hill as Commercial Director, and will further support the expansion of Ascend’s BTR operator capabilities in both single-family and multifamily assets.
NATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Guthrie joins from Dandara Living, where he was Product & Experience Manager, leading the customer experience function across six multifamily communities housing over 4,000 residents. He oversaw the national experience framework, engagement, events and communications – including the development of a bespoke app and CRM system – helping Dandara Living to win Top-Rated BTR Community and BTR Operator across the UK at the 2024 HomeViews Awards. Prior to that, he worked with the front of house operational team at Moda Living, where his focus was on technology, communications and processes to improve experience. He also holds valuable experience from his time leading operational teams in the short-stay and corporate serviced accommodation sectors.
Ascend holds mandates for over 7,000 single-family BTR homes nationwide, around two thirds of the entire UK asset class, with its multifamily and buy-to-let portfolio instructions bringing its total units under management to more than 10,000.
Paul Borrmann, Managing Director of Ascend Properties, says: “Resident experience is a key pillar in driving the value of build-to-rent portfolios, and something that has long been a central part of Ascend’s approach. Maxwell’s expertise in this area will be hugely invaluable for both residents and landlords alike, and his arrival is part of our wider strategy, cementing our position as best-in-class managers of institutional build-to-rent.”
