Ian Shapiro (he/him)

Group CEO BRE: building sustainable futures in the built environment. Meaningful Business 100 winner. Top 20 CEO by The CEO Publication. NED whg. RSA Fellow. Ex-Adviser to UN Under Secretary General on urbanisation.

London, England, United Kingdom

About

How can you transform lives and change the built environment? What skills can you bring to accelerate opportunities for people across the world? In my case I bring drive, courage and curiosity. And I bring experience and optimism. My curiosity has offered me opportunities to learn from others across Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. I am proud that my drive has led me into innumerable leadership challenges; whether that be strategic direction, change management, investment, policy or institutional reform. I would have overcome none of those challenges without working with quality people in partnership and with integrity. I thrive working with the talents of others who share a servant leadership ethos to deliver impact. What might we work on together to transform lives and change the world? Top 20 CEO (The CEO Publication) Meaningful Business 100 winner (EY award) Transformational Business: Climate Change and Technology finalist (FT award) Social Entrepreneur of the month (Cause4)

Experience

  • Chief Executive Officer at BRE
    Aug 2025 - Present · 11 mos

    Building sustainable futures in the built environment. Leading the 100+ year old group with a profit for purpose ethos and a strong focus on the positive contribution that must be made to ensure safer buildings, stronger communities and sustainable inclusive futures.

  • Non Executive Director at whg
    Nov 2020 - Present · 5 yrs 8 mos

    https://www.whg.uk.com One of the West Midlands' leading and most successful providers of high quality homes. Owning and managing over 21,000 properties. We provide affordable, good quality homes and community-based services to the local community. We are committed to capturing the passion from customers and colleagues to work together to transform the quality of life in our neighbourhoods, striving for excellence in all we do.

  • RSA Fellow at The RSA (The royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce)
    Oct 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 9 mos

  • United Nations Stakeholder Advisory Group to Under Secretary General at United Nations
    Jan 2024 - Dec 2025 · 2 yrs

    Advisory Committee member to the United Nations Under Secretary General and Executive Director for UN Habitat.

  • CEO at Reall
    Feb 2018 - Jul 2025 · 7 yrs 6 mos

    Green affordable homes in emerging markets is one of the key challenges of our time. With 70% of buildings that will exist in 2050 not yet built. The majority of those are homes. We need to disrupt the present market mechanism that locks people out of safe, clean, sustainable homes. Reall demonstrates the commercial and environmental viability of affordable homes. Encouraging others to get involved and re-shape opportunities. Where you are born should not dictate your life chances.