Nido Living appoints Dr Beatrice Lafon as Chair

Europe, September 2024 – Nido Living, a leading student accommodation specialist, has appointed Dr Beatrice Lafon as Chairperson of its newly established Board.  This move comes as part of Nido’s strategic expansion plan, following its acquisition by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and transformation into a vertically integrated platform that now encompasses development and investment activities alongside its established operational expertise. Beatrice will lead a Board composed of both CPP and Nido senior representatives and independent non-executives. 

 With over 40 years of Pan European and US retail and hospitality experience, Beatrice has built a reputation for driving rapid, impactful results by building high performing organisations with clear visions and excellence in execution. Her extensive background in financial and operational restructuring and M&A, combined with her previous roles as chief executive spanning 20 years, make her a key asset to Nido’s future direction.  

Carlo Matta, CEO of Nido Living, says: “Beatrice brings a wealth of international experience and a proven track record in navigating businesses through periods of change and growth. Her expertise in consumer brands, customer experience, and innovation will be instrumental as we modernize and scale Nido. With her leadership, we are poised to not only enhance the student living experience across Europe but also to lead the charge in expanding the Nido brand into new markets”. 

 Beatrice added: “Nido Living is an incredibly exciting and ambitious brand, uniquely positioned to engage with both B2B and B2C audiences and stakeholders. I am delighted to be part of a team that is driving forward the growth and transformation of such a people focussed business using my experience of both expansion and customer service. I am especially eager to contribute to the company’s ESG and DEI activities, ensuring Nido becomes even more inclusive and aligned with the diverse needs of its community and stakeholders.” 

Nido is actively recruiting for various roles at its Amsterdam HQ, and across its core and new territories as the platform expands, with a specific focus on the Italian and German markets.    

In addition to her role at Nido, Beatrice holds several other senior positions, including NED for  ARD LuxCo 2, a leading group of luxury hotels; NED at Cloud Nine; NED at Hilding & Anders (SE); NED at Spartoo SA (France); founding member of the Leadership Council at causaLens, the pioneer in causal AI and Founder of The Business Intelligence Network, a UK based retail consultancy firm. Her previous experience spans a variety of consumer brands, including advisory and senior roles at SuperDry, TMLewin, Claire’s Accessories, and Pizza Express Group.  Beatrice holds a First-Class BA Hons in European Business Administration and a First Class Diplome D’Etudes Superieures Europeennes de Management (ESC Rheims). In 2013, Beatrice was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Middlesex University, London. In 2015, she was elected the “Most Influential Woman” in the Mid Cap market in the USA. In 2017, she was elected “Influential Business Leader” by The Venus Dorset Awards and won the National title in 2018. She is fluent in both English and French.