The Association for Rental Living has announced the finalists for this year’s ARL Awards 2026, in association with RentGuarantor

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.

To read more about about the ARL Awards event, and to book your ticket, please follow the link below:

The finalists for the 2026 ARL Awards, by category are:

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

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

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

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

The 2026 awards ceremony will take place during the evening of 10^th November 2026, immediately following the Association for Rental Living Annual Conference and concurrent NextGen Pathways Conference.

Brendan Geraghty, Chief Executive of the Association for Rental Living, comments: “The ARL Awards recognise the talented and dedicated individuals who make a difference to the rental living sector every day. With an open peer-nomination process, every single nominee should be proud of the impact they have had on their colleagues, businesses and residents. The sector’s rapid expansion and evolution over the past ten years could not have taken place without the vision, passion and hard work of so many people and these 19 finalists represent the very best our sector has to offer. It will be our privilege to celebrate their success with them on 10^th November.”