Hermes’ property head, Rupert Clarke, is to become the British Property Federation’s junior vice-president

Clarke, chief executive of Hermes Real Estate Investment Management, will be third in line to become BPF president behind Ian Marcus and Francis Salway. He is expected to take up the role in July 2009.

Existing BPF president Nick Ritblat will step down in July and Ian Marcus will become president.

Francis Salway, currently junior vice-president, will step up to vice-president and Clarke will become junior vice-president on 10 July.

Clarke has more than 26 years' experience in the industry. Prior to becoming head of real estate at Hermes he was managing director of Jones Lang LaSalle’s corporate finance business.

‘I very much look forward to working alongside Francis Salway and Ian Marcus over the coming year to forge ahead with the BPF’s agenda,' Clarke said.

'It is a time of change for the property industry with REITs in place and Green issues coming to the fore. But whatever challenges these may create, there are also many opportunities that the industry will continue to seize.’