Associated British Ports appoints new Group Head of Property

(Posted on 29/05/26)

Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest port operator and one of the UK’s biggest commercial landowners, has appointed Rupert Joseland as Group Head of Property and Head of Property for ABP Southampton.

Rupert Joseland will lead ABP’s Property team who develop and manage an 8,600+ acre property estate across strategic UK locations providing unrivalled development options and multimodal logistics links.

With over 30 years’ experience in industrial, logistics, and mixed-use development he brings a proven track record in large-scale commercial development and partnership delivery.

The appointment represents another important step as ABP ambitiously develops and grows it’s property offering to the market across the UK.

Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest port operator, is pleased to announce the appointment of Rupert Joseland as its new Group Head of Property. Rupert will lead the Property team of one of the UK’s biggest commercial landowners with a portfolio of over 8,600 acres across a range of strategic locations providing unrivalled development options and multimodal logistics links. He will also directly head the Property team for ABP Southampton.

Rupert is an accomplished property development leader with over 30 years of experience in delivering large-scale industrial and logistics development, including as Managing Director at St Modwen. He has established high-performing regional teams, delivering major schemes like Swansea University Bay Campus, and creating a more than 10 million square foot logistics portfolio. He is experienced in delivering complex schemes requiring productive partnerships with private and public sector entities.

Julian Walker, Chief Commercial Officer for ABP, said: “I’m delighted that Rupert Joseland is joining ABP to take our sector-leading Property function on the next phase of its growth. Rupert brings a wealth of experience and a track record of delivering large scale property development and portfolio optimisation. Rupert's appointment also strengthens our Property activities in Southampton where we are bringing forward a number of significant development opportunities. This appointment represents an important step for us as we continue to develop and grow ABP’s property offering to the market across the UK.”

Rupert Joseland, incoming Group Head of Property for ABP and Head of Property for ABP Southampton, said: “The sector leading scope of the ABP property portfolio and the range of development opportunities is clear. What has particularly struck me from my initial conversations with ABP is their ambitious vision for developing and growing their estate. I’m excited to be joining ABP to lead the team in realising this ambition.”