Below is a selected overview of the projects have worked on with clients:
Various Developers, Investors, Operators & Universities (ongoing)
Consultancy, Audit Reviews & Short Term Management: Pre Planning and through to Operation
- Growth Strategies
- Site Assessment & Feasibility Studies
- Due Diligence
- Competitor Reviews
- Operational Budgets
- Room Mix Recommendations
- Architectural Drawing Reviews
- Scheme specification
- Recommending sources of funding
- Asset Management
- Operational Reviews
- Lender Compliance Reviews
- Short Term Management Solutions
Project introductions, to our sector colleagues (ongoing)
Clients have included:
- Unipol
- University of Essex
- AECC University College
Selected Specific Project Overview:
City Developments Limited (2024 – ongoing)
Third-Party Management Tender Process & Student Accommodation Consultancy
- Managed a client-need bespoke third-party management process for a portfolio of PBSA assets
- Assessed tender returns, made recommendation to client & negotiated the Property Management Agreements
- Detailed feedback provided to all unsuccessful parties
- Managing the onboarding process
- Work with the client and third-party manager to maximise & drive revenue, occupancy & NOI
- Manage the third-party manager, on behalf of the client, to ensure all operational objectives are delivered
Aermont Capital LLP (2024 – ongoing)
Operational Due Diligence
- Providing the client with operational due diligence on prospective PBSA assets & managers
East Mount Capital & Canfield Freehold Ltd (2017 & 2024)
Student Accommodation Consultancy
- Assisted the client with two planned PBSA developments, by providing OPEX budgets to aid valuation discussions with HS2
- Summer Lettings Review
- Scheme & Architectural Drawing Review
McAleer & Rushe / MRP (2023 – ongoing)
Third-Party Management Tender Process & Student Accommodation Consultancy
- Managed a client-need bespoke third-party management process for a high spec PBSA asset
- Assessed tender returns, made recommendation to client & negotiated the Property Management Agreement
- Detailed feedback provided to all unsuccessful parties
- Managed the onboarding process
- Work with the client and third-party manager to maximise & drive revenue, occupancy & NOI
Moda (2023)
Student Accommodation Consultancy
- Providing input and consultancy into Moda’s new PBSA offering, ahead of Moda launching the product
Beachrock (2022)
Third-Party Management Tender Process
- Managed a client-need bespoke third-party management process for a prime London PBSA asset
- Assessed tender returns, made recommendation to client & negotiated the Property Management Agreement
Schroders Capital (2022)
Student Accommodation Consultancy
- Provided oversight and management of essential CAPEX works for PBSA assets
Tristan Capital Partners (2021 – ongoing)
Student Accommodation Consultancy & Due Diligence
- Providing OPEX & Marketing due diligence services on target UK student housing assets
- OPEX reviews on existing PBSA portfolio, managed by various third-party managers
HOST Students (2021 – 2022)
Operational Performance Consultancy
- Provided a total review of the operational performance of the business
- Focus groups held with all members of the senior & middle management team
- Recommendations made for procedural & structural changes, to enhance the client’s chances of retaining existing mandates & securing new business
Invesco Real Estate (2020 – ongoing)
Ongoing Marketing, Operational & Management Consultancy
- Initial Marketing & Operational Review of PBSA assets – Republic of Ireland & Australia
- Ongoing Operational Advisory support & Management of third-party managers, on behalf of client
- Managed smooth transition of management of Australian asset
- Instigated, tendered and managed transition of third-party management of Irish Asset
Knight Frank Investment Management (2018 – 2023)
Marketing Strategy Review & Advisory, Change Management
- Assessments of the student / private rented sector accommodation market
- Recommendations on changes to marketing plans and service & product offering
- Ongoing Marketing support
Investcorp (2022-23)
Student Accommodation Consultancy & Due Diligence
- Reviewing the operational processes & procedures and acquisitional strategy & process
Quintain (2022)
Student Accommodation Consultancy
- Providing ongoing management, operational, design & customer consultancy, pre-planning, for a PBSA scheme in Wembley
LaSalle Investment Management (2021)
Student Accommodation Management Re-tendering
- Managed and ran the management re-tendering of three key UK schemes
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) (2019 – 21)
Portfolio Management & Operational Monitoring, in Kenya
- Providing management and operational monitoring on a student accommodation portfolio in Nairobi, Kenya
- Schemes are being visited on a six-monthly basis on behalf of the US based debt funder for the portfolio
Asian Development Bank (2018 – 21)
PPP development in Azerbaijan
- Acting as the Student Accommodation Expert in pioneering PPP student accommodation projects, with two Baku based universities
- Liaising with and influencing governmental departments (including the Ministries of Education and the Economy)
Gerald Eve (2020)
Client side Advisory on Portfolio Management & Sale
- Management Assessments of two schemes
- Operational Contingency Planning
Dandara Group (2018)
Management Contract Review
- Operational review of proposed Management Contracts and Budgets
LaSalle Investment Management (2017 – 18)
Management Transition Review
- Overseeing the management transition on a complex portfolio
- Regular client reporting on progress and KPIs
TH Real Estate (2017 – 18)
Student Accommodation Portfolio Review
- Comprehensive Operational Review of two of the client’s schemes
- All areas of management reviewed, including: Budgets; Staffing; Maintenance; Utilities; Marketing; Occupancy; Bad Debt; Pricing; Customer Satisfaction
- Recommendations made to improve the net income whilst maintaining customer service and occupancy
Tristan Capital Partners (2017)
Student Accommodation Consultancy & Due Diligence
- Provided due diligence services on UK student housing joint venture with Downing
Blackstone (2015 – 17)
Client Representative for the Victoria Hall Limited portfolio
- Portfolio consists of eleven UK assets, one in Germany and one in Spain
- Portfolio was repositioned (through pricing, processes & CAPEX) and rebranded to maximise value
- Portfolio was sold to Liberty Living, backed by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB)
PricewaterhouseCoopers (as LPA Receivers) (2014 – 16)
Student Accommodation Management Services
- Took over the full management of two schemes in receivership, until the properties were sold
- Schemes’ processes and market positioning overhauled to maximise returns for the lenders
Cardiff Metropolitan University (2013 – 14)
Residences Strategy
- Produced a comprehensive Residences Strategy for the university, covering three campuses
- Liaised with all stakeholders at the university
Victoria Hall (2014)
Student Accommodation Portfolio Review
- Comprehensive Operational Review of one of the client’s schemes
- All areas of management reviewed, including: Budgets; Staffing; Maintenance; Utilities; Marketing; Occupancy; Bad Debt; Pricing; Customer Satisfaction
- Recommendations made to improve the net income whilst maintaining customer service and occupancy
Private Equity Houses (2013)
- Providing sector intelligence to various Private Equity Houses to assist with investment decisions
Touchstone (2013)
- Asset Reviews
- Planned Maintenance Scope, Budgets & Management
Gatehouse Bank (2012 – 13)
- Asset Management of client’s non leased student accommodation
- Client management of third party management solution
- All areas of management reviewed, including: Budgets; Staffing; Maintenance; Utilities; Marketing; Occupancy; Bad Debt & Pricing
- University relationship management under Nominations Agreement
- Due diligence of potential new schemes
u-student.com (2012)
Student Accommodation Portfolio Review
- Comprehensive Operational Review of the client’s portfolio
- All areas of management reviewed, including: Budgets; Staffing; Maintenance; Utilities; Marketing; Occupancy; Bad Debt; Pricing; Customer Satisfaction
- Recommendations made to improve the net income whilst maintaining customer service and occupancy
UniLife (2012)
New Student Accommodation Consultancy
- Comprehensive Financial, Resourcing & Marketing review of the client’s new portfolio
Victoria Hall (2012)
Student Accommodation Portfolio Review
- Comprehensive Operational Review of one of the client’s schemes
- All areas of management reviewed, including: Budgets; Staffing; Maintenance; Utilities; Marketing; Occupancy; Bad Debt; Pricing; Customer Satisfaction
- Recommendations made to improve the net income whilst maintaining customer service and occupancy
Sanctuary Management Services (2011)
Student Accommodation Portfolio Review
- Comprehensive Operational Review of the all of the client’s London schemes
- All areas of management reviewed, including: Budgets; Staffing; Maintenance; Utilities; Marketing; Occupancy; Bad Debt; Pricing; Customer Satisfaction
- Recommendations made to improve the net income whilst maintaining customer service and occupancy
PricewaterhouseCoopers & Crosslane Group (2010 – 11)
Student Accommodation Management Services
- Took over the full management of a scheme that was in administration
- New on site team recruited and scheme made fully compliant
- 2009/10 customer move out managed, along with summer turnaround works and the move in of the 2010/11 residents
- Scheme achieved full occupancy and was proactively marketed for 2011/12
- The property has now been successfully sold to Crosslane Group with whom we are managing the handover process
South Street Asset Management (2010)
Student Accommodation Portfolio Review
- Comprehensive Operational Review of one of the client’s schemes
- All areas of management reviewed, including: Budgets; Staffing; Maintenance; Utilities; Marketing; Occupancy; Bad Debt; Pricing; Customer Satisfaction
- Recommendations made to improve the net income whilst maintaining customer service and occupancy
Cordea Savills (2009 – 2010)
Student Accommodation Portfolio Review
- Comprehensive Operational Review of client’s Managing Agents at six schemes
- All areas of management reviewed, including: Budgets; Staffing; Maintenance; Utilities; Marketing; Occupancy; Bad Debt; Pricing; Customer Satisfaction
- Recommendations made to improve the net income whilst maintaining customer service and occupancy
- Continued work with the Managing Agents to ensure recommendations are implemented
University of Bath (2008 – 2010)
Student Accommodation Consultancy
- Feasibility Studies for potential refurbishments, including rental and investment appraisals
- Specification development through both quantitative and qualitative student research, including focus groups
Client Project Management
- 2008 – Four student accommodation schemes totalling £7m. The schemes were a mix of refurbishments and new builds with each scheme having its own main contractor and design teams
- New Arts Facility (£10m), originally due for completion in 2011
- On Campus accommodation refurbishment (£4m) for 2009
- Off Campus accommodation refurbishment (£1m) for 2009
- Off Campus accommodation refurbishment (£2m) for 2010
University of Gloucestershire (2009)
Student Accommodation Consultancy
- Existing and planned portfolio reviewed and benchmarked nationally against peer group
- Recommendations made to align accommodation offering with peer group to improve net income returns
Markey Group (2008)
Student Accommodation Consultancy
- Strategies developed for potential growth towns & cities
- Studies conducted to support decision making for specific potential development sites
Deeley Freed (2008 – 2009)
Student Accommodation Consultancy
- Provided reports on the supply/demand profile of a South Wales student city including evidencing rental values and identifying head rooms numbers
- Reviewed subsequent design and specification
ING Real Estate (2007 – 2008)
Client Project Management
- Client Project Management services provided for ING Real Estate through the master planning and planning application stages of a £200m proposed major regeneration project
- A World Heritage site, and with a wide range of interested parties, the management of the project was a complex co-ordination exercise involving engineers, designers, ecologists, architects, legal teams and statutory and public bodies
- Exacting project and man management skills were required to ensure milestones were met and the client’s agenda fulfilled
UNITE Group (2001 – 2007) – Employed
2006 – 2007
Project Bowen, Nationwide £175.0m
- A new product development project focusing on delivering a new student customer flat design into all new buildings from 2008 onwards. Over 5,000 bedrooms and 1,000 kitchen / lounges were planned to be built, to the new design, each year. Responsible for managing the entire project on behalf of numerous stakeholders at all stages from: conception; design; testing; feasibility; procurement; manufacture; and delivery
2006 – 2007
Estate Optimisation Programme £2m per annum
- Nationwide responsibility for ensuring the student accommodation portfolio is upgraded and that the annual budget was directed to projects that were prioritised on gap analysis against the latest property build and design standards. Project values varied from £10k to £300k
2001 – 2006
- Nationwide responsibility for new student scheme feasibility (site visits, supply & demand analysis, financial appraisals), scheme layout, facilities (selection and design), specification, marketing facilities and mobilisation
- Each project delivered student accommodation and associated facilities. Personal involvement with each scheme was approximately 24 months long. Below is a link to the projects listed by the year of delivery