University College London has poached a senior figure from the Ministry of Defence to take over as its director of estates just weeks before contractors are due to be appointed to the first phase of its new Stratford campus.

Francesca Fryer, who is currently head of estate strategy for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), is taking over from Andrew Grainger, who steps down from the role this month.

Grainger, who has been director of estates for more than nine years, announced he would be stepping down in April. He will continue to work for the university in a part-time role to support the development of its new UCL East campus.

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