Move will align JLL’s capital markets strategy and client connections across Europe.
14 September 2026
News release
14 September 2026
JLL names Gemma Kendall as head of living for UK and EMEA
Categories:
Authors
Kat Blake
Key Takeaways:
- Leadership expansion: Gemma Kendall promoted to Head of Living for both UK and EMEA, consolidating regional leadership under a unified strategy.
- Market excellence: JLL's EMEA living business has transacted nearly €14 billion since 2020, achieving first-place ranking by RCA in H1 2026.
- Strategic alignment: Creating a singular vision across JLL's EMEA living platform to deliver enhanced strategic opportunities for clients.
LONDON 14 September 2026– JLL has announced the expansion of Gemma Kendall’s role to head of living for both the UK and EMEA, effective immediately.
Gemma joined JLL 19 years ago and has led its EMEA living business, following her initial role in the sector as EMEA multifamily lead, since 2020. During her tenure, she has worked alongside JLL’s European living leaders to grow the service transacting nearly €14 billion, with the EMEA business ranked first by RCA in the first half of 2026.She has led landmark transactions including the recap of M&G’s BTR platform in Ireland and larger asset sales across Europe, including Quayside Quarter and Greenpark.
In this expanded capacity, Gemma will now lead JLL’s entire UK Living team as well as the strategy across the region, bringing singular vision and drive to the sector across its EMEA platform.
As part of this continued growth strategy, Simon Scott will focus on spearheading his specialist expertise within the residential segment of the UK living strategy.
Julian Sandbach, Head of Capital Markets, UK, commented: "I am delighted that Gemma is expanding her role to lead both our UK and EMEA living capital markets businesses. Gemma is a longstanding leader within JLL and her diverse background across retail, offices, and living makes her an exceptionally well-rounded advisor. By establishing a singular vision across our EMEA platform, we can better leverage our regional leadership, our granular knowledge of the sector and deep institutional relationships to expand strategic opportunities for our clients.”
About JLL
JLL (NYSE:JLL) is a leading global commercial real estate services and investment management company with annual revenue of $26.1 billion, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of more than 112,000 as of June 30, 2026. For over 200 years, clients have trusted JLL, a Fortune 500® company, to help them confidently buy, build, occupy, manage and invest across a variety of industries and property types, including office, industrial, hotel, multi-family, retail and data center properties. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAY. Powered by rich global datasets and leading technology capabilities, we provide coordinated, end-to-end delivery of real estate services for a broad range of global clients who represent a wide variety of industries. Through LaSalle Investment Management, we invest for clients on a global basis in both private assets and publicly traded real estate securities. For further information, visit jll.com.