Bourgeois to take over from Boyd at Government Property Agency

Bourgeois, who left Hammerson in 2022 after five years at the firm, will join the GPA later this month. The GPA said he would “work closely with the agency’s board and executive team, maintaining momentum on its work to deliver a smaller, better-connected, better-quality and greener government property estate”.

GPA chair Pat Ritchie said: ”People are at the heart of what we do and Mark’s expertise in championing customer focus, demonstrating social impact, and inspiring teams will guide the agency’s development and next phase of this transition. 

”Supported by the board and through the strength of our executive team, we look forward to working together as we move into 2024.”

A spokesperson for the GPA said the departure of Boyd, who joined the five-year-old agency in 2019, was “by mutual decision” but could not comment on what he planned to do next.

The spokesperson added the recruitment process for a permanent chief executive for the agency would begin early next year, but could not comment on whether Bourgeois was likely to be in the running.

Ritchie added: ”I would like to thank Steven for his drive, determination and leadership, as well as the significant contribution he has made to establish the GPA since joining us in 2019, providing firm foundations for the next phase of the agency’s journey.  

”Steven has made great progress in joining up the government’s office estate, delivering the Hubs Programme, making major changes to the London estate, and leading the introduction of interoperable property technology to enable civil service productivity.”

Bourgeois said: ”It is an honour to be appointed as interim chief executive of the GPA at this crucial period in its development. Since its formation five years ago, the GPA has established itself as a leader in the UK workplace sector, supporting the work of the civil service while improving the financial and environmental performance of the government’s portfolio. 

”I look forward to working with the GPA executive team to champion customer focus, support clients and build a strong organisational culture within the agency as we continue this programme.”

Prior to his time at Hammerson, Bourgeois spent almost 19 years at Capital & Regional, latterly as executive director, where he helped the business relaunch with a strategy beyond retail - a strategy he also pursued at Hammerson.

Last year he set up Velement Real Estate advisory, a specialist coaching firm for the sector.