Duncan is CEO of Empiric Student Property (ESP), a FTSE 250 UK REIT providing modern, high-quality student accommodation in prime city-centre locations in leading university towns and cities across the UK. Duncan has been instrumental, since joining ESP in September 2020, in reshaping the Company’s portfolio to provide a best-in-class product to residents whilst also delivering revenue and margin growth through personalised customer service.

In a career spanning 40 years, Duncan has built extensive multi-industry management experience through senior roles at companies including Unilever, where he held management positions across Europe and Asia, BAA, where he worked as Commercial Director, and Alshaya Group, where he led the start-up and growth of brands such as Starbucks, Shake Shack, and Pizza Express across 20 countries . Before joining ESP, Duncan held Chief Executive roles at several leading hospitality and leisure companies including Punch Taverns and Bill’s Restaurants.

Duncan holds a PhD in Biochemistry from Imperial College London.