The Dot Group and Kinetic Capital announce senior executive appointments to drive strategic growth

20th June 2024 – London –The Dot Group (“Dot” or the “Group”), the transformational leader in student living, is pleased to announce the appointment of Paddy Allen as the new Chief Executive Officer of Kinetic Capital (“Kinetic”), its specialist lender in the purpose-built student accommodation sector (“PBSA”). Paddy will join the business towards the end of the summer and will lead the expanding high-calibre team at Kinetic to deliver the next stage of significant growth.

Since Kinetic was launched in 2020 by Steve Grant and fellow Co-Founder Nicholas Porter, CEO of Dot, Steve has successfully led the business, securing capital investment with world-class institutions while deploying debt financing to student housing investments across the United Kingdom and Europe. Steve’s transactional prowess and ability to navigate complex investment opportunities has been exceptional throughout his career.

To maximise his skill set and knowledge of the sector, Steve will transition within the Group to become Dot’s Chief Corporate Development Officer while continuing to work closely with Kinetic, ensuring a smooth transition until Paddy’s arrival. This move enables Dot to remain focused on its global strategy and successfully execute opportunities across all areas of the Group’s activity.

Paddy is a highly experienced professional, currently Head of Operational Capital Markets at Colliers, with close to 20 years’ experience in real estate and a specialist knowledge of PBSA including the wider living sector. He brings expertise in capital markets, including debt and equity raising as well as transaction execution, operations, and real estate technology.

Previously, Paddy was a partner at Cushman & Wakefield and earlier in his career held positions with Global Student Accommodation (“GSA”), a Dot company. With Paddy’s expertise and prior experience with the Group, his appointment is central to delivering Kinetic’s ambitious plans. His leadership will underpin the next phase of growth, building on Kinetic’s success to date including the recent entry into the Italian market and pioneering ESG incentives for borrowers.

Kinetic is extremely well positioned and Paddy will further cement the business’ unique position as the leading student housing debt provider, leveraging its significant capital partnerships and expertise to execute on its strong pipeline whilst expanding Kinetic’s institutional relationships.

As Chief Corporate Development Officer at Dot, Steve will be responsible for corporate development globally, leading major transactions, M&A, partnerships and new market development across all Group businesses.

Steve is a highly respected industry leader with an over 20-year track record in PBSA. His previous roles as CEO of Dot companies Kinetic and GSA provide him with unique insight into the Group and access across the industry. His excellence in delivering complex and multi-jurisdictional transactions will help drive Dot’s growth strategy to scale across global markets.

Prior to joining the Group, Steve was Chief Financial Officer of Urbanest and Managing Director, Asset Management of UNITE Group.

Nicholas Porter, Chief Executive Officer of The Dot Group commented:

“Having worked with Steve for over 20 years, his unrivalled knowledge of the Group and deep sector expertise will be instrumental in achieving strategic and focused growth. This move signifies the level of opportunity that exists for our Group and appetite to build out our growing team and attract high-calibre talent. 

Steve and Paddy are exceptional executives with significant experience in the PBSA sector who will play key roles in Dot’s future success. Paddy’s expertise in student housing and debt supports and accelerates Kinetic’s growth, building on the strong foundations laid by Steve and the team. I am incredibly excited about what lies ahead, and I am looking forward to welcoming Paddy to form part of the Dot journey.”

Paddy Allen, incoming Chief Executive Officer of Kinetic Capital commented:

“Kinetic Capital is the market leader in student housing debt and it is a really exciting time to join. Steve and his team have built an incredible business with a differentiated approach and unparallel sector expertise. I am very excited to be taking the helm for its next phase of development.”

Steve Grant, incoming Chief Corporate Development Officer of The Dot Group commented:

“Dot is a truly unique group of businesses with amazing opportunity, and I am looking forward to driving further growth and taking advantage of the many targets in the global student living sector. I am also immensely proud of what we have achieved at Kinetic, and I am confident that Paddy is very well placed to expand and grow the Kinetic offering.”