BUILD

Nov 24, 2023

NHBC, the UK’s leading new homes warranty and insurance provider, recently hosted the inaugural Build to Rent Innovators event in partnership with the British Property Federation. Held in central London, over 100 developers, investors, operators, architects, and other industry stakeholders gathered to explore ‘Innovation in the Face of Regulation’ the evening’s theme. The event was opened by keynote speaker Lee Rowley MP, now Minister of State for Housing. The minister spoke about the importance of innovation in the housing sector and the challenges the industry faces. He recognised the crucial role Build to Rent (BTR) is playing in the market and its value in helping relieve housing shortages. Mr Rowley also touched upon the government’s role in balancing regulation with the pro-growth, pro-development stance it takes to house building. He also impressed the importance of housing quality, as well as volume; he encouraged high quality residential development in all sectors and expressed his support for all delivery routes to high standard homes. Other speakers included Polly Simpson, Head of Multifamily Development at Savills, Duncan Sutherland, Public Affairs Director at Sigma Capital, Olaide Oboh, Executive Director at Socius and Jamie Smith, Development Director at Related Argent. A broad range of industry stakeholders were in attendance including delegates representing British Land, Citra Living, L&G, Lendlease, Long Harbour, Abrdn, and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, among many others. Niki Kyriacou, Sector Lead - Build to Rent at NHBC commented: “I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped make our inaugural Build to Rent Innovators event such a success. The profile of BTR in the UK property market is rising and the evening brought together leading stakeholders to hear the latest developments in the sector. “BTR is facing challenges on many fronts, from the heightened regulatory environment to the increased cost of borrowing, but it continues to grow and thrive. NHBC works in trusted partnership with the BTR market, helping developers build quality homes right, first time. “The minister’s comments on the importance of quality chime with NHBC’s true north in building quality, safe homes, while providing long asset protection to developers and investors.” Ian Fletcher, Director of Policy at the British Property Federation commented: “It was a pleasure to partner with NHBC for this unique event. All the delegates are innovators in their own right, and the hard work that has gone into the BTR sector over the past decade has been a privilege to witness. “The BTR sector is dedicated to building a better private rented sector and is conscious of wider placemaking and social value creation. It’s generating new opportunities for small businesses and harnessing new technologies to enhance its offer, but most importantly, it’s a sector very highly rated by its customers.”