London-based Hearthstone Investments has appointed Lucy Hawkins as an assistant fund manager for its forthcoming residential property fund.

The firm said Hawkins will assist in the running of Hearthstone’s Property Authorised Investment Fund, alongside lead fund manager and director, David Gibbins. 

Hawkins previously managed the Mirvac City Regeneration Partnership Fund at Caraeno, the real estate asset and development management firm. She was also a fund manager at Grainger before that.

“Residential property is the largest UK asset class and yet private individuals have not had any opportunity to invest in the sector, other than through leveraged buy-to-let portfolios,” Hawkins said. 

The fund will also bring long-term pension and ISA investments into the residential market, she added.