Freehold LGBT CIC, the UK’s leading networking organisation for LGBTQ+ professionals in the real estate industry, today announced a change in its leadership team.
After four years as Co‑Chair, Scott Parsons is stepping down from the position as he takes up his new role as Chair of the Oxford Street Development Corporation, the Mayor of London’s company leading the regeneration of Oxford Street in addition to his Executive role as CEO of Lysara.
Dan Westley, currently a Freehold Board member and Head of Portfolio for Vastint UK, will succeed him as the organisation’s new Co‑Chair working alongside existing Co-Chair and Founder of Tigrou Consulting, Kelly Canterford.
Scott’s extensive real estate career and network as well as his experience on charity boards from LandAid to the RNLI has been invaluable in helping to build the Freehold platform for the 2020s and beyond. The whole Board thanks him for his commitment to strengthening LGBTQ+ representation in our industry and will watch on with pride as he takes on his exciting new Chair role transforming the heart of London’s west end.
Incoming Co-Chair Dan Westley is a Chartered Surveyor, he qualified with CBRE after which he spent nine years as Commercial Leasing Director for the iconic Battersea Power Station Development Company. At the end of 2025 he took on a new role as Head of Portfolio for real estate developer, investor and owner Vastint UK Vastint UK where he is responsible for the national commercial strategy and for shaping the evolution of major regeneration projects in London, Leeds and Cardiff.
Dan has been a committed member of Freehold for a decade and has served on its Board for almost six years, chairing the events committee. Outside of work and Freehold, he is a keen hockey player for the London Royals, Europe’s largest mixed LGBTQ+ hockey club, where he has also served as men’s Club Captain.
Commenting on the transition on behalf of the Freehold Board, Kelly Canterford Co-Chair of Freehold said:
“We are deeply grateful to Scott for his dedicated service and the impact he has had on Freehold’s growth, and the visibility and momentum he has created around LGBTQ+ inclusion in our sector. We are proud to see him take on his new chairmanship and wish him every success.
We are delighted to welcome Dan as our new Co‑Chair. His industry expertise, longstanding commitment to the organisation, and passion for building an inclusive real estate sector make him the ideal leader for Freehold’s next chapter.”
Freehold continues to support LGBTQ+ professionals across the property sector through networking, mentoring, advocacy, and industry engagement.
