Charge Point Operator (CPO) Believ has appointed Craig Butler to the new role of Property and Acquisitions Director to lead the business’ fully funded electric vehicle (EV) charging launch into the real estate sector. The goal is to accelerate the installation of public EV charging in the UK by creating charging hubs within urban centres and along key transport routes.
Craig has more than a decade’s experience in property advisory and asset management. He joins from commercial real estate and investment firm, CBRE, where he managed large national accounts in the retail and leisure sector and more recently he advised and supported global clients in the EV infrastructure space.
Believ will use Craig’s experience and network within the real estate sector to target freehold and long-lease land and partnership opportunities. The company will offer fully funded EV charge point installation supported by an end-to-end solution that takes property clients from consultation, logistical planning and power solution support, through to installation and ongoing maintenance.
“Our priority is to identify sites that will add long-term commercial and environmental value for the landowner, whilst satisfying the requirements of EV drivers,” says Craig.
“The substantial backing that our Liberty Global and Zouk Capital funding affords us, as well as the scale that our delivery partnership with Virgin Media O2 provides, mean we are in the enviable position to move forward at speed. As the real estate market is predisposed to low-risk, inherently stable propositions, this puts Believ at a further advantage.”
Guy Bartlett, Believ CEO, says Craig is in an ideal position to help Believ differentiate itself in the property sector: “We have a Property and Acquisitions team with more than 30 years’ combined experience capable of driving real value for our customers,” he says.
“Much of our early focus has been on enabling local authorities and businesses to support their residents and customers with convenient near-home or destination charging. This new proposition helps us to also address the ‘on-route’ charging essential for longer journeys.”
