London & Paris, 9 September 2026
The Dot Group, the global leader in student living, has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of Ronen Journo as the European CEO of its global student living brand and operator, Yugo. The appointment will build further momentum across Yugo’s European and UK business at a point of sustained expansion, following recent additions to its branded portfolio in France, Poland and Italy.
Bringing more than 30 years' international operational and real estate leadership experience with Hines, WeWork and Cisco, Ronen will develop and execute the firm's European and UK strategy, driving community performance, operational excellence and growth through new client partnerships. He will translate Yugo's global priorities into locally relevant strategies, deepening relationships with universities, clients (asset owners) and global investment partners.
Ronen has market-leading expertise, most recently serving as Global Head of Management Services and Operations of Hines’ $91 billion AUM portfolio. There he built the firm’s pan-European management services platform, spanning offices, retail, logistics, build-to-rent and student accommodation, before assuming the global remit.
He has also held senior leadership roles at WeWork, where he scaled its enterprise division into the firm’s largest revenue stream and delivered occupier-led solutions through its space-as-a-service platform. Prior to this, Ronen spent 20 years at Cisco through its hyper growth period, latterly as Managing Director for Workplace Resources and Operations in EMEA. As a member of the global leadership team, he aligned portfolio strategy with enterprise growth, delivering a programme of M&A integrations.
Ronen also brings wider board-level experience, currently serving as a Non-Executive to the UK Government Property Agency, as a Board Advisor to the University of Westminster Business School and as a member of University College London’s Estates Committee. These roles strengthen Yugo’s engagement between government, institutions and the industry, informing regulatory decision-making to support the sector.
The appointment comes as Yugo’s European business continues to build momentum. In Italy, Yugo recently secured agreements to operate new student accommodation developments in Rome and Messina, serving more than 3,000 students, strengthening its position across Southern Europe. It is also delivering a series of value-add initiatives to reposition its French portfolio and recently expanded its presence in Poland, managing two newly developed communities in Warsaw.
Nick Porter, CEO, The Dot Group, said: “Ronen is an exceptional leader with deep international experience across real estate investment management and operations. He brings a strong track record of building high-performing teams, understands the importance of a strong global brand and delivering growth across multiple cultures and markets. His global network and understanding of clients will be instrumental as we continue to deepen partnerships and build momentum across the region.”
Ronen Journo, CEO Europe, Yugo, said: "Operations is where business value and human experience are created, and I've always believed the two belong together. Yugo's brand strength is this combination; long-standing partnerships, real operational heritage and teams who understand what students need day-to-day. That's what enables our communities to help students live their best lives, not just find a place to stay. I'm grateful to Nick and The Dot Group for the trust placed in me to lead the next chapter of Yugo's European growth story, to strengthen our partnerships and keep improving that student experience."
Ronen will be based in London and Paris.
His appointment follows a range of senior hires across The Dot Group this summer. Paddy Allen was recently promoted to Head of GSA’s new Investor Solutions division and Rebecca Dwyer joined as Global Head of Communications, following senior roles at Schroders and Grosvenor.
For further information, please contact:
Rebecca Dwyer, Global Head of Communications, The Dot Group
+447747 578 617
Joanna MacAdie, Communications Director, Yugo
