The number of standing Build-to-Rent units and pipeline are still just 4.3% of the wider UK PRS. In addition to that, only 20% of UK homes are in the PRS, compared to 40% in the more mature German market. The limited rental stock, in combination with the very high barriers to homeownership in the UK has resulted in the rate of rental inflation in key cities hitting double digits for the past two years. This coupled with the high inflation rate for the past two years has made affordability an issue for many in the UK.

For this seminar, we have decided to bring together a broad range of Build-to-Rent experts on the panel. We will discuss some of the barriers into the market, as well as potential solutions on how we can increase rates of delivery into a sector that very much needs it. We will discuss everything from build cost inflation to and BTR design innovation, through to overarching demand trends and much more!

Join us at Colliers London HQ in the West End of London for an exciting discussion.

Chair
Paddy Allen, Head of Operational Capital Markets, Colliers
 
Speakers and Panellists
George Dyer, Group Investment Director, Watkin Jones
Simon Saint, Principal, Woods Bagot
Stuart Taggart, Director Project & Building Consultancy, Colliers


Paddy Allen, Head of Operational Capital Markets, Colliers
Paddy Allen is Head of Operational Capital Markets at Colliers, with over 18 years of experience in the industry. He specializes in providing a full suite of capital services, including equity and debt raising, transactional services, operational consulting, and real estate technology, to investors and operating platforms in various sectors where real estate investment performance is directly linked to an operational business. He has deep expertise in Build to Rent, Student Accommodation, Hotels, Co-living and other emerging sectors.


George Dyer, Group Investment Director, Watkin Jones
George joined Watkin Jones in 2020 as Head of Investment and he was appointed Group Investment Director in 2023. George has a wealth of experience having previously been a partner at Cushman and Wakefield and before that was Head of UK Investment Management at Global Student Accommodation Group.


Simon Saint, Principal, Woods Bagot
Simon combines his passions for art, business and technology to create interdisciplinary design solutions for clients. Starting his architectural career with the firm in 2004, Simon has worked across a range of Sectors—which includes Workplace, Hotels and Residential—on both architectural and interior projects. During his time in London, he has focused on advancing the firm’s approach to Residential design, taking on the role of Global Residential Sector Leader to collect and share this knowledge globally. Bolstered by collective intelligence, these efforts have led to some of the studio’s most successful open market sale residential developments, including Embassy Gardens and City Island for Ballymore in London and The Makers Shoreditch. Alongside these projects, Simon has also led many groundbreaking “build to rent” (BTR) projects such as Union Wharf for Essential Living and The Lansdowne in Birmingham, creating new approaches to the sector.


Stuart Taggart, Director Project & Building Consultancy, Colliers
Stuart is the Head of Cost Management for the UK with over 15 years’ experience working across a range of projects both in the UK and across EMEA. With an eye for detail he ensures that robust advice is provided at every stage of a project. Stuart is a firm believer that communication is the key for the success and develops strong working relationships with clients and the wider project teams from the outset. As team leader Stuart is also focused on the development of others and provides mentorship and support to facilitate career progression.

Thank you to Colliers for hosting this event