UKAA launches new Midlands Hub
- Co-Chairs Long Harbour’s Rebecca Taylor and David Phillips’ Tom Grey will lead UKAA’s work in the Midlands
- New Hub is latest stage in UKAA’s national expansion
- First event scheduled for 28th June, with regional study tour in Q4 2023
In response to regional demand, the UK Apartment Association (UKAA), the membership organisation for Build to Rent (BTR) in the UK, has launched a brand-new Hub in the Midlands.
Co-Chairs Rebecca Taylor, Managing Director of BTR at Long Harbour and Tom Grey, Build to Rent Director at David Phillips, will lead the organisation’s work in the region as part of the 2023 UKAA Manifesto, which outlines a growth and outreach strategy aligned to the regional needs of the UK’s burgeoning BTR sector.
The new Midlands Hub follows the successful launch of UKAA Hubs in Scotland and the North West in early 2022. The two Co-Chairs bring together a wealth of experience of the local Midlands BTR landscape.
Rebecca Taylor is the Managing Director of Long Harbour’s UK Multi-family / BTR business. Since joining the firm, Rebecca has created one of the strongest and most dynamic teams investing in the UK BTR sector; has raised £1.4bn in equity and deployed over £850mn of equity. Her previous experience includes eight years at Laing O’Rourke, as well as project work in Australia, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates. Rebecca is also the Chair of the British Property Federation BTR Committee and a member of the Urban Land Institute UK Residential Council.
Tom Grey, as Build to Rent Director at David Phillips, supports clients creating beautiful, robust, and sustainably furnished interiors as well as with full lifecycle furniture management. David Phillips has furnished over 18,000 BTR units in more than 100 different schemes over the last decade. Tom’s experience includes 14 years as owner/director at BTR consultancy Grid Property Solutions and over 20 years’ experience in the residential sector.
Other UKAA Midlands Hub committee members include Andrew Yates, DLA Piper, Trevor Ivory, DLA Piper, Harpreet Donsajh, Touchstone Residential, Steph Douglas, Touchstone Residential, Andy Hill, Apache Capital, Tomasz Romaniewicz, Bond Bryan, Neelam Saihjpal, Centrick, Olivia Seaton, Patrizia, Krassi Stoyanova, Godwin Group, Kishor Tahiliani, Dandara Living and Rebecca Whitehead, Urbanbubble.
“We are delighted to welcome Rebecca and Tom as Co-Chairs of the new UKAA Midlands Hub. The Midlands is a region packed with opportunity and innovation in the Build to Rent industry, making it the ideal location for the latest UKAA Hub.” – Brendan Geraghty, CEO, UKAA
Following a record-breaking £4.3 billion of investment in BTR in the UK in 2022 (Savills), the Midlands is seen as one of the front-runners of the sector’s regional expansion.
The first UKAA Midlands Hub event will take place from 5.00 pm – 7.30 pm on Wednesday 28th June 2023 at DLA Piper UK LLP in Birmingham. It will outline how the UKAA plans to support members with an interest or presence in the Midlands to:
- discuss national BTR opportunities and challenges through a local lens
- understand local challenges and opportunities in BTR
- hold local events and networking for wider audiences
In addition to providing an introduction to the UKAA, the event will deliver a panel session on the BTR market in the Midlands, followed by networking and drinks. Speakers will include Andrew Yates and Trevor Ivory of DLA Piper, Knight Frank’s Jonny Stevenson, Olivia Seaton from Patrizia, Heimstaden’s Amit Kumar and UKAA President and Director of BTR Operations at Godwin Developments, Lesley Roberts, in addition to Co-Chairs Rebecca Taylor and Tom Grey.
All those with an interest in BTR in the Midlands are welcome to attend, both UKAA members and non-members.
Later this year, a regional study tour will also take place, providing a deep dive opportunity to access leading BTR developments and innovators across the Midlands.
Anyone wishing to join the UKAA Midlands Hub and / or attend the launch event is invited to get in touch with UKAA for full details.
For more information, please visit https://www.ukaa.org.uk/ or email [email protected].
