Brian Kirchmann, CEO of Sapoa, welcomed the appointment: "I am particularly delighted to welcome Neil to the fold. The industry has become so dynamic in the past five years that the work load at Sapoa has almost tripled.

"Neil will assist me closely in responding to all the needs that are thrust upon us, particularly in the areas of driving the black economic empowerment and transformation processes and lobbying with the government at national and provincial levels on all property legislation."

Gopal has already had a successful property career, his last position that of head of marketing and new business for Intersite, where he spent nine years in various senior positions. He has worked closely with the government on projects in and around Gauteng .