Conference Programme

Monday 22nd September

5pm – Welcome Networking Drinks will take place in Nine Elms, London, for those in London the day before the main conference agenda.

7.30pm – Speaker, Sponsors & VIP Dinner in Nine Elms, London (by invitation only)

Tuesday 23rd September

8.30am – Breakfast, Networking and Registration at the Oval Cricket Ground, London

9.30am – Start of the main conference programme

1.00pm – Networking Lunch Session for speakers & attendees

2.00pm – Conference programme continues

4.20pm – Conference programme close

4.30pm – Living UK Networking Drinks Reception on pitch side terraces at the Oval.

7pm – Event closes at the Oval to allow delegates to organise their own dinner plans & fringe events

Agenda Content

Investor Panel Session – Investment & Funding into the Living Sectors

Understanding what is driving Investor interest in Student Housing, Build to Rent, Single Family Housing, Co Living, Retirement and Affordable Housing models
Where do the Living Sectors sit in investment priority lists, both in terms of real estate and all sectors?
Is market data on the UK Living sectors sufficient to satisfy the high level capital entering the sector? How can the market provide better data to encourage growth and what is needed?
How is investment into urban rental living & build to rent now evolving?
Do we see Single Family Housing as a big opportunity for investment?
How do investors feel about Retirement Living, both for sale and for rent?
How do investors rank the potential of the different living sectors and where do they see the potential?
Where are the big opportunity areas geographically and is building a multi sector Living portfolio now the main goal?

A fireside chat with the leading Living Sector Agents – what is happening on the ground and where next?

What is happening on the ground in the UK Living Sectors and what is the agents view on the current market?
Where are the Living sectors on investors priority list and how are the UK Living sectors
Why have the UK Living sectors seen such growth over the last decade?
How does this relate the overall housing market?
Is the growth of the Living sectors founded on need, desire or something else?
What are the biggest barriers to delivery and investment in the UK Living Sectors and how do we see these barriers being overcome?
How can provide real scale in these markets or is it a case of letting things evolve organically?
What is the long term growth potential of the UK Living Sectors and which sectors have the most opportunities?

Student Housing Conference Stream

PBSA Market Dynamics, Investment, and Key Opportunity Areas

What factors contribute to the continued attractiveness of PBSA as a top real estate investment?
What impact will potential interest rate adjustments have on investor appetite and development feasibility in the student housing market?
Which cities and universities are currently experiencing the highest demand for student housing, considering factors like league table performance, international student growth, and supply constraints?
How do building and fire safety regulations impact PBSA valuations and investment decisions?

Policy, Student Experience, and Market Segments

How do government policies and higher education reforms impact university finances and student affordability, and what are the implications for student housing?
How are evolving learning models and student preferences influencing the demand for different types and locations of student housing?
What are the potential implications of rental reform legislation on HMOs and PBSA, and what opportunities and challenges do these changes present?
How can operators and investors adapt to meet the evolving needs of the international student market, considering legislative changes and competition from other countries?
How does student housing perform relative to other rented residential and property asset classes, and what are its strengths in uncertain economic conditions?

Emerging Opportunities, Operational Scale, and Future Growth in Student Housing

What are the most promising emerging opportunities in terms of product offerings and locations within the student housing market?
What strategies can be employed to effectively scale student housing operations while enhancing efficiency and student satisfaction?
What design features, amenities, and technologies are becoming essential to meet the evolving expectations of students?
How do planning constraints, rising costs, and building/fire regulations affect new PBSA development and overall market viability?
What is the outlook for blended and flex living products in the student housing market, and where are the key growth areas across the UK and Europe?

Build to Rent Conference Stream

The Investment Case for Build to Rent in 2025

What makes Build to Rent (BTR) a compelling investment opportunity in the current market, and what factors are driving its expansion?
How are rising operational costs impacting the BTR sector, and what is the outlook for rental growth in the coming years?
How will a change in government affect existing BTR assets and future investment opportunities, and what level of policy stability is needed to maintain investor confidence?
How are operators adapting to building safety and fire safety requirements?
What is the expected impact of the Rental Reform act on the sector?
How are ESG factors influencing investment decisions in BTR, and what types of developments are attracting the most interest?
What types of BTR products and locations are currently being targeted by investors, and why?

The Evolution of Build to Rent – From Gen 1 to Gen 3

How have BTR assets evolved from early “Gen 1” models to the current “Gen 2” and emerging “Gen 3” products, and what are the key differences?
What is the current status of older “Gen 1” BTR assets, and what opportunities exist for repurposing or upgrading them?
What characteristics define “Gen 2” BTR developments, and what amenities and features are now considered standard in leading markets?
What potential exists for affordable BTR models with fewer amenities, and how can older assets play a role in this segment?
What innovations and trends are expected in “Gen 3” BTR, and how will these developments cater to a broader range of demographics and needs?

Policy, Lifestyle, and the Future of Build to Rent & Rental Living

How will new government policies impact the BTR sector, and how important is continued support for purpose-built rental in meeting housing targets?
What are the implications of rental reform for BTR operators and investors, and how will regulatory changes affect market confidence?
How are evolving work-life balance preferences and commuting habits reshaping demand for rental homes in urban and suburban markets?
How are changing attitudes toward homeownership influencing the rental sector, and what does this mean for the future of BTR?
How are changing living and working habits impacting neighbourhoods, town centres, and suburbia, and how is this reshaping real estate and home design?
How is the BTR sector demonstrating resilience and diversification, and what is the role of mixed-use, community-centric developments in its future?

Single Family Housing Conference Stream

The State and Future of UK Single Family Rental Markets

What factors are driving the rapid growth of Single Family Housing (SFH) as a core segment of UK residential investment?
How is SFH performing compared to other residential asset classes, and what factors are contributing to its robustness?
What are the key trends in rents, values, and opportunity areas within the SFH market, and where are the most promising locations for investment?
Which towns and cities offer the best value for SFH investment, considering factors like yields and demand?
What is the long-term potential of SFH as an asset class, and how is it expected to perform as the sales market recovers?

Delivery, Operation, and Investment in Single Family Housing

How is the SFH sector evolving to meet the needs of families and long-term tenants, and what are the key priorities for delivering quality homes?
How is the adoption of property management technology improving operational efficiency and reducing costs for SFH operators and residents?
How flexible are UK tenants, and what factors contribute to longer average tenancy lengths in the SFH sector?
What are the key considerations for managing SFH portfolios, including tenant screening, maintenance, and community engagement?
How are housebuilders and developers integrating SFH into their long-term business models, and what factors are driving their investment decisions?

Co-Living Conference Stream

The Rise and Investment Landscape of UK Co-Living

What factors have contributed to the explosive growth of the UK co-living sector in recent years?
How strong is the investment momentum in the co-living sector, and what are the key drivers attracting investors?
Which geographic areas are considered co-living hotspots, and what factors are contributing to their growth?
What demographic groups are most attracted to co-living, and what are their primary motivations?
What factors contribute to the strong fundamentals of co-living, such as premium yields, high occupancy rates, and tenant satisfaction?
How is the co-living pipeline developing, and what does this suggest about future supply and market growth?

Delivering and Operating Co-Living – Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities

How are co-living schemes evolving in terms of product offerings and amenities, and how do they differ from traditional HMOs?
How are flexible leasing options and community-building initiatives shaping the tenant experience in co-living?
How is technology being leveraged to improve operational efficiency and enhance the resident experience in co-living?
How are local authorities approaching co-living as a potential solution to housing shortages, and what policy changes are being introduced?
What are the main challenges and barriers facing the co-living sector, and how can these be addressed to unlock further growth?
How is the co-living sector expected to evolve and integrate with other living sectors in the future, and what opportunities will this create?

Retirement Living Conference Stream

Retirement Living Market Outlook, Investment, and Growth Opportunities

What factors are driving renewed investor confidence in the UK senior living sector, and what is the outlook for investment volumes?
Which sources of capital are most actively targeting the senior living sector, and what investment trends are emerging?
How is the “retirement for rent” sector attracting interest from BTR investors, and what is the forecast for rental stock growth?
Which segments of the senior living market are experiencing the highest interest and growth, and what factors are driving demand?
What are the main challenges and barriers hindering further growth and scale in the senior living sector?

The Retirement Living Consumer, Product Innovation, and Sector Opportunities

How is the senior living sector evolving to offer a wider range of products, including for-sale, rental, and affordable options and is it happening fast enough?
How are design and technology innovations being incorporated into modern senior living schemes, and what is their impact on residents’ well-being?
How are ESG considerations influencing senior living developments, and what sustainable practices are being adopted?
How can senior living schemes balance modern innovation with the specific needs and preferences of older residents?
What are the key considerations for maximising opportunities in the senior living sector, and what is the overall future outlook?

Affordable Housing Session

What are the key factors attracting private sector investment into the affordable housing market, and what are investors looking for in these projects?
How can investments in the social housing sector be structured to maximize genuine impact and prioritize social outcomes?
What is the long-term investment capacity of the affordable housing market, and where are the most promising areas for growth?
What types of structures and joint ventures are being used to facilitate investment in affordable housing, and how can these models be optimized?
How can the sector deliver a genuinely affordable rental product that works for a diverse range of income levels?
Does the growth of the Build to Rent market offer a viable pathway to creating genuinely affordable rental stock?
With institutional investors increasingly entering the affordable housing sector, how can investments at “affordable” rent levels be made financially viable?

To see who is on the speaking panel for the conference please click here