Your ticket to the ARL Annual Conference will include access to the evening Awards Ceremony and the ARL 10th Anniversary Celebration
As is tradition, the ARL will host its annual Awards Ceremony on 10 November at 18:00, the evening of our Annual Conference. Our members nominated the entrants, and the ARL Board selected the winners.
The awards will recognise those who have been instrumental in shaping the ARL membership body and the rental sector over the past ten years. We look forward to honouring the movers and shakers who have contributed so much to the rental living sector, while celebrating the next generation of leaders shaping the industry’s future!
Following voting by an impartial panel of senior judges – comprising the ARL’s volunteer Board of Directors – the Association is delighted to announce 19 finalists across five categories designed to honour key contributors across the rental living sector: Culture Champion, Secret Superhero, Rising Star, Industry Shaper and Lifetime Achievement.
The finalists for the 2026 ARL Awards, by category are:
Industry Shaper
Transformative progress is driven by those who challenge convention, champion new ideas and create lasting change. This award recognises an individual who is actively playing a pivotal role in advancing the Rental Living sector, helping to shape its direction, raise standards and influence its future.
Sayantan Biswas, Founder & CEO, VerbaFlo. ·
Alex Gooch, Head of BTR Sales, Property Sense·
Neelam Saihjpal, Operations Director VervLife·
Kishor Tahiliani, General Manager, The Goodsyard, urbanbubble
Rising Star
Aligned with the ARL's NextGen Pathways programme, this award honours an exceptional emerging professional who has demonstrated outstanding initiative, influence and leadership early in their career. Their contribution, achievements and potential set them apart as a future leader of the Rental Living sector.
Samantha Patocka, Resident Service Manager at Chapel Wharf, Colby River
George Pearce, Consultant, Inside the Box Advisory
Alyssa Verlice, Assistant Manager (Glasgow), PLATFORM_
Esme Webb, Director, hereSAY
Culture Champion
Great workplace cultures do not happen by chance. They are shaped by individuals who inspire, support and empower those around them. This award recognises a person who has made an outstanding contribution to creating an inclusive, positive and engaging culture where people can thrive.
Alan Bailey, Head of Operations, Way of Life
Faye Cottrell, Head of HR, APO
Hayley Peverley, Leasing & Marketing Manager, Goodstone Living
Abba Vambe, General Manager, UNCLE Elephant & Castle
Secret Superhero
Every successful business depends on individuals who quietly make a remarkable difference. This award celebrates a colleague whose hard work, reliability and contribution behind the scenes are instrumental to their organisation's success and deserve wider recognition.
Simone Fitzgerald, Maintenance Manager, Placefirst
Holly Gelder, Senior Property Manager, Simple Life Management
Marta Jasinska, Regional Facilities Manager, QuadReal
Caitlin Jones, Digital Performance Manager, Quintain Living
Lifetime Achievement
Behind the growth and success of the Rental Living sector are individuals whose leadership, vision and commitment have helped define its future. This award honours an exceptional individual whose lasting contribution has advanced the sector and inspired others across the industry.
Rick de Blaby, former CEO, GetLiving
Ged McPartlin, Managing Director, Simple Life Management
Debra Yudolph, Founder and CEO, SAY Property Consultants
Your ticket to the ARL Annual Conference will include access to the evening Awards Ceremony and the ARL 10th Anniversary Celebration
2026 marks 10 years of ARL (formerly UKAA) – a decade of convening, supporting and championing the Rental Living sector.
To mark this milestone, we are inviting ARL Annual Conference delegates and invited guests to join us for a special 10th Anniversary Celebration on Tuesday 10 November, immediately following the ARL Annual Conference.
The evening will bring the ARL community together for an informal celebration of the people, relationships and achievements that have shaped our first decade.
This won’t be a traditional sit-down awards dinner. Instead, this event will be a lively, informal networking social combining cocktails, drinks, substantial finger food, music and conversation, during which the ARL Awards, sponsored by RentGuarantor, will be presented.
