British Land bulks up with two new hires

* Steve Smith to join from AXA as CIO

* Charles Maudsley takes on business expansion role

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LONDON, Nov 4 (Reuters) - UK property firm British Land (BLND.L) has lured Steve Smith, head of transactions at AXA Real Estate Investment Managers (AXAF.PA), to beef up its board ahead of an expected surge in UK real estate investment activity.

Smith, who is well-known in the UK property industry for his dealmaking capabilities, will join British Land in the New Year as executive director and Chief Investment Officer.

Smith's appointment comes less than a month after the company announced that Andrew Jones, its head of retail property, and two other senior retail executives, had resigned to pursue other opportunities. [ID:LD660604]

British Land has also appointed Charles Maudsley, co-head of Europe at LaSalle Investment Management, as an executive director with responsibility for business expansion.

"Stephen and Charles bring enormous property experience and expertise to British Land. They will make a strong contribution to the business and their skills complement those in our highly regarded management team," said Chief Executive Chris Grigg.

The appointments coincide with a welter of management changes at some of the UK's largest property investors, including Land Securities (LAND.L) and Hammerson (HMSO.L).

Land Securities appointed Robert Noel from Great Portland Estates (GPOR.L) to head up its London portfolio, while Hammerson promoted David Atkins to chief executive following the early retirement of John Richards. [ID:nL0587992] (Reporting by Sinead Cruise; Editing by Andrew Macdonald) (See www.reutersrealestate.com for the global service for real estate professionals from Reuters)