Three property trade bodies merge to create stronger lobbying voice for landlords and investors

Real Estate:UK launches just days after sweeping new renters’ rights came into force in England, giving the property sector a more unified voice as battles over regulation, planning and investment intensify

Three leading property trade bodies have merged to create a more powerful single lobbying voice for landlords, investors and developers at a critical moment for the UK real estate market.

The new body, Real Estate:UK brings together the British Property Federation, the Association of Real Estate Funds and the Investment Property Forum in a move designed to give the sector more weight with government, regulators and investors. 

Its arrival comes just days after the biggest overhaul of private renters’ rights in England for a generation took effect on 1 May, ending section 21 no-fault evictions, limiting rent increases to once a year and banning rental bidding wars. 

The organisation says it will act as a single, stronger voice for the sector, representing investors, developers, property companies, asset owners, managers and advisers while promoting UK real estate to domestic and international investors. 

Its priorities are said to include attracting investment, improving planning and development, supporting innovation and providing a single source of market data.

Its board will comprise senior industry representatives nominated by each of the founding organisations. 

Anne Breen, Global Head of Real Estate at Aberdeen and current AREF chair, will serve as chair, while Vanessa Hale, formerly head of research and strategy at BNP Paribas Real Estate and a member of its UK executive leadership team, becomes chief executive.

Breen said: “I am delighted to congratulate Vanessa on her appointment. With her breadth of experience and strong industry credibility, she will be a powerful advocate for UK real estate and is ideally placed to lead the new organisation as it brings the industry together with a single, authoritative voice. 

“I’m certain her commitment to sustainability, diversity and supporting the next generation of talent will set a strong and progressive direction for the industry.”

Hale added: “I am excited to begin this next chapter for the real estate industry as the first appointed chief executive of Real Estate:UK.

“We have a huge opportunity to create a new single convenor and voice for UK real estate building on the successes of AREF, BPF and IPF and I look forward to working with Anne and the RE:UK Board to bring that vision to reality for the benefit of the sector and all our current and future members.”

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_{Main image: Photo by Ethan Wilkinson via Unsplash}