BNP Paribas has hired a new head for its division advising property companies on mergers and acquisitions, as the French investment bank looks to expand a business it has described as “core” to its strategy.

Richard Choi will join in mid-October as head of real estate advisory for the UK. He will be based in London and report to the UK head of banking, Matthew Ponsonby, and the head of real estate, Pierre Semeria.