Nido Living hires Joanne Pollard as COO

Europe, May 2025 – Leading student accommodation specialist Nido Living has announced the appointment of Joanne Pollard as Chief Operating Officer (COO), as it continues to evolve the business following its transformation into a vertically integrated platform and prepare for entry into new European markets. 

Joanne brings more than 12 years of experience as a senior leader in the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and build to rent (BTR) sectors, most recently serving as COO at Empiric Student Property PLC. Her career also includes leadership roles with Prime Student Living, Campus Living Villages Ltd, The Mansion Group and Five Nine Living. 

Based in the UK, Joanne will support operations across Nido’s European portfolio – including its Group HQ in Amsterdam, fast growing Iberia platform, and planned market entries in Italy and Germany, both central to the company’s expansion strategy. 

Her appointment follows the departure of previous COO Darren Gardner, who recently stepped down. 

Carlo Matta, CEO of Nido Living, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Joanne to Nido Living. The COO role is crucial as we scale our integrated platform with a target of delivering and operating 25,000 beds by 2031.  Joanne’s operational expertise and sector knowledge will be instrumental as we expand further in Iberia and establish ourselves in Germany and Italy – all while staying focused on continuing to deliver exceptional living experiences for our students across Europe.”  

Joanne said: “I am beyond excited to be joining Nido Living, a brand that leads with purpose and is recognised for its strong focus on delivering an exemplary student experience, prioritising wellbeing, community, sustainability and design & technology, as well as driving forward core values I share: respect, innovation, excellence and collaboration. I look forward to supporting its ambitious expansion across markets as well as supporting the drive for innovation and an exemplary student experience.” 

Joanne’s appointment follows a series of strategic leadership hires since Nido Living’s acquisition by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) in Spring 2024.  These include CEO Carlo Matta, CFO Ryan Lee, Head of Italy Giuseppe Zafferri, CIDO Taco van Heusden, together with Board Chair Beatrice Lafon, and NED Rosemary Boot. 

These leadership appointments underpin Nido’s ambitious growth strategy, anchored in a vertically integrated platform that brings together investment, development, and operations to facilitate rapid expansion across Europe. 

Nido currently operates 3,400 beds across Europe, with an additional 800 in the pipeline.