Reflections on 2021 and my move into the UK’s affordable housing market

2021 has been another challenging year, with Covid continuing to cause significant uncertainty. For me personally, this year has brought some exciting personal life changes and a new stage in my career focusing on a critical housing sector…

Two weeks ago, I moved to London with my wife and our new baby daughter to start an exciting new role as Director at RESAM, a consultancy focussed on advising and helping owners of affordable housing.

Coming full circle

In some ways, this move into the affordable housing sector has taken me full circle, as I return to the UK after over 15 years overseas. Growing up, my father was very involved in the social housing landscape, having worked with the Housing Corporation and Sanctuary housing association. I always knew it was a sector that I was interested in, which was one of my motivations for studying for an MA in urban planning all the way back in 2005. Interestingly, that is what started my overseas adventures with an exchange to France and a project on social housing in Venissieux, one of the most famous examples of the French “banlieues” - followed by a dissertation on affordable housing provision in Lyon  

Different markets, same challenges

From France, my career took me to Vietnam, Singapore and then China. Working in the real estate market meant working in residential markets with developers, investors, local government and lenders. In all of these markets without exception, the issues of housing supply, affordability and the welfare implications were dominant themes. While legal systems, market dynamics, policy priorities and cultures may differ, resolving these issues along with taking steps to decarbonise the housing stock are high on everyone’s priority lists.

RESAM has a unique offering to the sector

Now I have returned to the UK to join RESAM, bringing with me unique perspectives from across the world. This move is something I’m very excited about as RESAM are bringing expertise, thinking and solutions to the UK housing sector that can really help address the issues that are being faced. Being a mix of senior professionals from both inside the housing sector and wider commercial real estate, they bring innovative solutions to owners of affordable housing. Whether it is strategic asset management, data led analysis or advice around funding, the team is already helping to improve the management and delivery of affordable homes, including supporting the move towards net zero.

I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had in my career so far and the amazing people and projects I have worked on around the world. Now, as we get settled into life in London, I am looking forward to helping bring solutions to the UK’s housing market.

Bring on 2022!