Our Team
Richard has over 25 years of corporate, legal and commercial experience, including over 18 years of experience working in the student accommodation and property sectors in the UK, Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand.
Richard’s experience makes him ideally qualified to advise on all aspects of property and student accommodation asset management as well as general governance, fund management, compliance, and leadership matters.
Together with Martin, Richard has developed and won new business with the leading developers, universities, operators and innovators in the UK student accommodation market. He has developed lasting relationships as a trusted asset manager to institutional capital for over £500m of property projects and over 2,000 PBSA beds under management.
JourneyPrior to SFG, Richard worked for global student accommodation provider Campus Living Villages (CLV) for over 12 years in various roles from managing the global investment fund vehicle out of Australia to running the UK business as Chief Executive Officer.
During his time as CEO, Richard led a team to operate and develop high-quality student accommodation in partnership with some of the UK’s top universities, and as a part of CLV’s global executive team also worked with universities in the Australia, USA and NZ.
Whilst in Australia, Richard oversaw all global investment and fund management activities, as well as fund raising activities to existing and potential new investors including responsibilities for governance, compliance and company secretarial matters. He also acted directly on a number of key developments and acquisitions of public procurement university-led student accommodation concessions.
Richard also has over 10 years’ experience as projects, commercial and banking lawyer at Australian private equity/family office, Transfield Holdings and major law firms Minter Ellison, Hunt & Hunt and Kensington Swan.
Richard has over 25 years of corporate, legal and commercial experience, including over 18 years of experience working in the student accommodation and property sectors in the UK, Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand.
Richard’s experience makes him ideally qualified to advise on all aspects of property and student accommodation asset management as well as general governance, fund management, compliance, and leadership matters.
Together with Martin, Richard has developed and won new business with the leading developers, universities, operators and innovators in the UK student accommodation market. He has developed lasting relationships as a trusted asset manager to institutional capital for over £500m of property projects and over 2,000 PBSA beds under management.
JourneyPrior to SFG, Richard worked for global student accommodation provider Campus Living Villages (CLV) for over 12 years in various roles from managing the global investment fund vehicle out of Australia to running the UK business as Chief Executive Officer.
During his time as CEO, Richard led a team to operate and develop high-quality student accommodation in partnership with some of the UK’s top universities, and as a part of CLV’s global executive team also worked with universities in the Australia, USA and NZ.
Whilst in Australia, Richard oversaw all global investment and fund management activities, as well as fund raising activities to existing and potential new investors including responsibilities for governance, compliance and company secretarial matters. He also acted directly on a number of key developments and acquisitions of public procurement university-led student accommodation concessions.
Richard also has over 10 years’ experience as projects, commercial and banking lawyer at Australian private equity/family office, Transfield Holdings and major law firms Minter Ellison, Hunt & Hunt and Kensington Swan.
Martin has over 30 years’ experience working for and advising universities, property brokers and advisors. He regularly advises leading universities, investors and operators on all aspects of student accommodation strategy and problem solving.
Martin’s unique blend of senior experience across Universities, consultancy and the commercial private sector enables him to comprehensively understand all facets of the design, development, financing and operation of student accommodation assets, especially University partnerships and off-balance sheet public procurement projects and strategy advice. Together with Richard, Martin has developed and won new business with the leading developers, universities, operators, investors and innovators in the UK student accommodation market. Martin has delivered DBFO projects from feasibility to financial close. Current university clients extend across all parts of the university league table and private sector clients from the largest in the sector to small developers. Martin has led the growth in the University Advisory staff to our current team of 7.
Martin and Richard currently provide MSA and asset management services to clients across various projects and have over 2,000 beds under management. Martin and Rich have also undertaken purchaser due diligence exercises on two 4,000+ bed PBSA portfolios.
Journey
Prior to founding SFG, Martin worked as Commercial Director for Campus Living Villages (CLV) UK, responsible for the commercial and asset management functions overseeing all University partnership bids and transactions. During his time at CLV, Martin oversaw the addition of 2,800 beds to the portfolio and a pipeline of over 4,000 beds.
Prior to this, Martin spent 6 years at real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle, working with universities carrying out strategic reviews of estate portfolios, supporting disposals and reviewing procurement options for new accommodation. Martin was lead consultant on completed student accommodation projects delivering over 10,000 beds at a total capital cost of over £500m.
Martin also spent 15 years as a Director of Estates in the higher education sector working at City University, Brunel University and Middlesex University. Whilst at City University, Martin led the project to sell long term leasehold interests in the halls of residence. At Middlesex University, Martin led the financing, design and construction of 6 new halls of residence totally 1,500 beds.
Martin currently serves on the Estates Committee of the Royal College of Music, is a Trustee of Queen Alexandra House, has chaired the LD Events student accommodation conference for the last three years and is a regular conference speaker.
Martin has over 30 years’ experience working for and advising universities, property brokers and advisors. He regularly advises leading universities, investors and operators on all aspects of student accommodation strategy and problem solving.
Martin’s unique blend of senior experience across Universities, consultancy and the commercial private sector enables him to comprehensively understand all facets of the design, development, financing and operation of student accommodation assets, especially University partnerships and off-balance sheet public procurement projects and strategy advice. Together with Richard, Martin has developed and won new business with the leading developers, universities, operators, investors and innovators in the UK student accommodation market. Martin has delivered DBFO projects from feasibility to financial close. Current university clients extend across all parts of the university league table and private sector clients from the largest in the sector to small developers. Martin has led the growth in the University Advisory staff to our current team of 7.
Martin and Richard currently provide MSA and asset management services to clients across various projects and have over 2,000 beds under management. Martin and Rich have also undertaken purchaser due diligence exercises on two 4,000+ bed PBSA portfolios.
Journey
Prior to founding SFG, Martin worked as Commercial Director for Campus Living Villages (CLV) UK, responsible for the commercial and asset management functions overseeing all University partnership bids and transactions. During his time at CLV, Martin oversaw the addition of 2,800 beds to the portfolio and a pipeline of over 4,000 beds.
Prior to this, Martin spent 6 years at real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle, working with universities carrying out strategic reviews of estate portfolios, supporting disposals and reviewing procurement options for new accommodation. Martin was lead consultant on completed student accommodation projects delivering over 10,000 beds at a total capital cost of over £500m.
Martin also spent 15 years as a Director of Estates in the higher education sector working at City University, Brunel University and Middlesex University. Whilst at City University, Martin led the project to sell long term leasehold interests in the halls of residence. At Middlesex University, Martin led the financing, design and construction of 6 new halls of residence totally 1,500 beds.
Martin currently serves on the Estates Committee of the Royal College of Music, is a Trustee of Queen Alexandra House, has chaired the LD Events student accommodation conference for the last three years and is a regular conference speaker.
Robert leads SFG’s University Advisory team providing services to a range of Higher Education and Commercial clients.
Robert has over 25 years’ experience in the property industry and for the last 15 has specialised in providing strategic estates advice to the Higher Education sector.
He is a Chartered Management Consultancy Surveyor with particular experience in on-campus student housing partnerships, business cases, estate strategies, option appraisals, feasibility studies, capital funding bids, learning environments and space planning.
Robert has advised 50+ universities in the UK and internationally, and 30+ Further Education Colleges, as well as local authorities, NHS trusts, developers and investors.
Journey
Prior to joining SFG, Robert was at Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) for eight years, where as Director of Higher Education, he led or advised many universities on projects that created or upgraded 14,000+ beds. For most of these Robert acted as lead advisor, and for others provided specialist input to produce demand and supply studies, service level agreements, and rental strategies. He has also advised student housing partners and investors on similar projects. Robert also produced non-residential estate strategies for six universities, provided strategic property advice for Further Education Colleges, and advised NHS trusts on residential partnership projects.
Prior to this, Robert spent eight years at Drivers Jonas and (upon merger) Deloitte, specialising in the Higher and Further Education sectors. Also, in the culture and heritage sector, he carried out option appraisals for museum collection storage facilities and produced business cases for major new exhibition capital projects.
Robert also spent seven years as Commercial Manager of a UKAS-accredited surveying firm, and three years as a Senior Consultant for Bryanston Square, advising on Building Schools for the Future projects. Robert has also served on the Finance and Resources Committee of Cardiff University.
Robert leads SFG’s University Advisory team providing services to a range of Higher Education and Commercial clients.
Robert has over 25 years’ experience in the property industry and for the last 15 has specialised in providing strategic estates advice to the Higher Education sector.
He is a Chartered Management Consultancy Surveyor with particular experience in on-campus student housing partnerships, business cases, estate strategies, option appraisals, feasibility studies, capital funding bids, learning environments and space planning.
Robert has advised 50+ universities in the UK and internationally, and 30+ Further Education Colleges, as well as local authorities, NHS trusts, developers and investors.
Journey
Prior to joining SFG, Robert was at Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) for eight years, where as Director of Higher Education, he led or advised many universities on projects that created or upgraded 14,000+ beds. For most of these Robert acted as lead advisor, and for others provided specialist input to produce demand and supply studies, service level agreements, and rental strategies. He has also advised student housing partners and investors on similar projects. Robert also produced non-residential estate strategies for six universities, provided strategic property advice for Further Education Colleges, and advised NHS trusts on residential partnership projects.
Prior to this, Robert spent eight years at Drivers Jonas and (upon merger) Deloitte, specialising in the Higher and Further Education sectors. Also, in the culture and heritage sector, he carried out option appraisals for museum collection storage facilities and produced business cases for major new exhibition capital projects.
Robert also spent seven years as Commercial Manager of a UKAS-accredited surveying firm, and three years as a Senior Consultant for Bryanston Square, advising on Building Schools for the Future projects. Robert has also served on the Finance and Resources Committee of Cardiff University.
Andrew has over 30 years’ experience of the real estate industry with extensive experience relating to acquisitions, disposals, asset management, mixed-use development, capital projects, PFI/PPP, structured finance, facilities management and operations.
Over 20 years of Andrew’s experience is in the private sector and a decade in public office, central Government and the charitable sector.
Journey
Andrew was previously an Executive member at a government-funded research institute and the Development Director of LocatED (a government-owned property company).
Prior to this, Andrew was Director of Estates at the University of Hertfordshire, Chairman of its property company, and a Director of its student accommodation company, ULiving@Hertfordshireplc.
Previously Andrew was a senior board member and shareholder of UPP Group, the UK’s leading provider of campus-based university accommodation and estate management services, and one of the founders of the group following the management buy-out from Jarvis plc. Andrew was Managing Director of the development business, a Director of the Facilities Management business and a Director of its SPVs.
Before UPP, Andrew was a Director and founder member of an asset management business managing in excess of £4bn of property assets and behind a PFI start up, latterly sold to a pension fund.
Andrew trained as a quantity surveyor and is now an accomplished Non-Executive Director supporting start-ups, mentoring and guiding established businesses.
Andrew has over 30 years’ experience of the real estate industry with extensive experience relating to acquisitions, disposals, asset management, mixed-use development, capital projects, PFI/PPP, structured finance, facilities management and operations.
Over 20 years of Andrew’s experience is in the private sector and a decade in public office, central Government and the charitable sector.
Journey
Andrew was previously an Executive member at a government-funded research institute and the Development Director of LocatED (a government-owned property company).
Prior to this, Andrew was Director of Estates at the University of Hertfordshire, Chairman of its property company, and a Director of its student accommodation company, ULiving@Hertfordshireplc.
Previously Andrew was a senior board member and shareholder of UPP Group, the UK’s leading provider of campus-based university accommodation and estate management services, and one of the founders of the group following the management buy-out from Jarvis plc. Andrew was Managing Director of the development business, a Director of the Facilities Management business and a Director of its SPVs.
Before UPP, Andrew was a Director and founder member of an asset management business managing in excess of £4bn of property assets and behind a PFI start up, latterly sold to a pension fund.
Andrew trained as a quantity surveyor and is now an accomplished Non-Executive Director supporting start-ups, mentoring and guiding established businesses.
Andrew has over 23 years of experience in the field of Higher Education student accommodation. He has successfully managed large teams of c. 100 staff members in both city and campus universities. With extensive expertise in residential strategies, Andrew has collaborated with private student providers, facilities management, student well-being, and residential life teams, ensuring exceptional student experience and well-being support. Additionally, Andrew has an extensive record of catering and summer letting in halls, stakeholder engagement, policy writing, restructuring residence teams and compliance within the Higher Education sector.
Passionate about enhancing the student experience, Andrew has been invited to speak at renowned conferences such as CUBO, StarRez, Property Week, and other prominent industry events and as a judge in award panels. Notably, he introduced and developed the Residential Life Program and Wellbeing program at the University of London while a Director, further solidifying its reputation as a leader in student accommodation.
Andrew assists Robert within SFG's University Advisory team, providing services to Higher Education clients.
Journey
Andrew's career journey includes a 10-year tenure at the University of London, where he rose from Deputy Head of Residential Accommodation to the position of Director of Residential Services, overseeing a portfolio of approximately 3,500 bedrooms. Andrew also managed as a Director a private landlord letting and housing advice service utilized by the 17 Federation Members of the University and other Higher Education institutions in London. Furthermore, Andrew has actively collaborated with various universities in London, playing a pivotal role in a group of university student accommodation Directors and Heads through CUBO and engaging with charity student accommodation providers via the LASAN network. Andrews's contributions have extended to serving on university committees and providing regular reports to the university's Estates Committee. As part of a group of universities and developers, he has met with the GLA to report on how the London Plan could be improved. Prior to the University of London, Andrew spent 12 years at the University of Sussex. His responsibilities encompassed managing off-street properties, overseeing the housing office, and effectively managing student halls at that time, c.800 beds. As Residential Operations Manager, where he led a large in-house team of managers, porters, cleaners, and handypersons, ensuring the seamless functioning of student accommodation. Andrew has played a crucial role at both universities in the procurement, specification, and facility management requirements of around ten student developments. In addition, his expertise and leadership have been instrumental in the successful completion of seven new halls of residence (latest development £105m), three of which were achieved through partnerships with the private sector. Andrew's professional journey began with Whitbread, where he worked as a relief manager across southern England. This early hospitality and catering experience has given Andrew a unique perspective and valuable insights into delivering exceptional services.
Andrew has over 23 years of experience in the field of Higher Education student accommodation. He has successfully managed large teams of c. 100 staff members in both city and campus universities. With extensive expertise in residential strategies, Andrew has collaborated with private student providers, facilities management, student well-being, and residential life teams, ensuring exceptional student experience and well-being support. Additionally, Andrew has an extensive record of catering and summer letting in halls, stakeholder engagement, policy writing, restructuring residence teams and compliance within the Higher Education sector.
Passionate about enhancing the student experience, Andrew has been invited to speak at renowned conferences such as CUBO, StarRez, Property Week, and other prominent industry events and as a judge in award panels. Notably, he introduced and developed the Residential Life Program and Wellbeing program at the University of London while a Director, further solidifying its reputation as a leader in student accommodation.
Andrew assists Robert within SFG's University Advisory team, providing services to Higher Education clients.
Journey
Andrew's career journey includes a 10-year tenure at the University of London, where he rose from Deputy Head of Residential Accommodation to the position of Director of Residential Services, overseeing a portfolio of approximately 3,500 bedrooms. Andrew also managed as a Director a private landlord letting and housing advice service utilized by the 17 Federation Members of the University and other Higher Education institutions in London. Furthermore, Andrew has actively collaborated with various universities in London, playing a pivotal role in a group of university student accommodation Directors and Heads through CUBO and engaging with charity student accommodation providers via the LASAN network. Andrews's contributions have extended to serving on university committees and providing regular reports to the university's Estates Committee. As part of a group of universities and developers, he has met with the GLA to report on how the London Plan could be improved. Prior to the University of London, Andrew spent 12 years at the University of Sussex. His responsibilities encompassed managing off-street properties, overseeing the housing office, and effectively managing student halls at that time, c.800 beds. As Residential Operations Manager, where he led a large in-house team of managers, porters, cleaners, and handypersons, ensuring the seamless functioning of student accommodation. Andrew has played a crucial role at both universities in the procurement, specification, and facility management requirements of around ten student developments. In addition, his expertise and leadership have been instrumental in the successful completion of seven new halls of residence (latest development £105m), three of which were achieved through partnerships with the private sector. Andrew's professional journey began with Whitbread, where he worked as a relief manager across southern England. This early hospitality and catering experience has given Andrew a unique perspective and valuable insights into delivering exceptional services.
Rebecca is an Assistant Director at SFG and focuses on advising clients on all aspects of their student accommodation projects.
Rebecca has 10 years experience of working in the student accommodation sector and during this time has provided valuation and consultancy advice on both private purpose-built student accommodation and University halls of residence projects.
JourneyRebecca qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 2007 following completion of a MA in Real Estate Management at Bristol UWE in 2005. Post qualification, she began her career in the Public Sector Consultancy team at DTZ before joining the Higher Education Advisory team at JLL in 2011.
More recently Rebecca spent three years as an Associate in the Living Advisory Student Housing valuation team at JLL before joining SFG in November 2021, giving Rebecca a comprehensive view of current market rents and values. Valuation experience covered acquisition support, debt security and balance sheet valuations.
In the 10 years that she has worked within the student accommodation sector, Rebecca has worked for both University and private sector clients providing strategic property and valuation advice on a range of projects. Whilst an Associate in the JLL Higher Education team she advised on student accommodation procurement projects totalling over 10,000 beds at a capital cost of over £500m. Her key clients have included University of Hertfordshire, University of Edinburgh and the University of Salford.
Rebecca’s experience within the student accommodation sector includes strategic and procurement advice on student accommodation projects, strategic reviews of estate portfolios, feasibility studies, options analysis and valuation advice.
Rebecca is an Assistant Director at SFG and focuses on advising clients on all aspects of their student accommodation projects.
Rebecca has 10 years experience of working in the student accommodation sector and during this time has provided valuation and consultancy advice on both private purpose-built student accommodation and University halls of residence projects.
JourneyRebecca qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 2007 following completion of a MA in Real Estate Management at Bristol UWE in 2005. Post qualification, she began her career in the Public Sector Consultancy team at DTZ before joining the Higher Education Advisory team at JLL in 2011.
More recently Rebecca spent three years as an Associate in the Living Advisory Student Housing valuation team at JLL before joining SFG in November 2021, giving Rebecca a comprehensive view of current market rents and values. Valuation experience covered acquisition support, debt security and balance sheet valuations.
In the 10 years that she has worked within the student accommodation sector, Rebecca has worked for both University and private sector clients providing strategic property and valuation advice on a range of projects. Whilst an Associate in the JLL Higher Education team she advised on student accommodation procurement projects totalling over 10,000 beds at a capital cost of over £500m. Her key clients have included University of Hertfordshire, University of Edinburgh and the University of Salford.
Rebecca’s experience within the student accommodation sector includes strategic and procurement advice on student accommodation projects, strategic reviews of estate portfolios, feasibility studies, options analysis and valuation advice.
John has over 30 years’ investment, development and fund management experience, advising investors on UK real estate. John is a Chartered Surveyor, qualifying in private practice and subsequently holding positions within institutional fund managers, family offices and entrepreneurial advisory boutiques.
John has been active in the UK Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) market since 2011. To date, he has acquired £600 million assets comprising 6,200 beds across the United Kingdom, including London and most of the key regional university cities. He has a wide network of developers, brokers, consultants and operators in the sector, enabling sourcing and stock picking ‘under the radar’ properties, often off-market, via direct negotiations with the owners. John is a specialist in investment strategy, origination, structuring, due diligence and execution for investment assets. He has extensive expertise in development funding and joint venture structuring, alongside core investment acquisitions and asset management and has a strong market profile in the UK PBSA investment market.
John leads SFIM’s investment management, guiding investors on strategy, sourcing assets and co-ordinating investment management.
Journey
Prior to joining SFIM John has held senior roles within institutional fund managers, family offices and advisory boutiques. John was most recently Partner and board member of 90 North Real Estate, a niche investment manager, specialising in cross-border transactions on behalf of Middle Eastern and Asian institutional and private capital. At 90 North John sourced and acquired regional PBSA properties to create a diversified portfolio for a Middle Eastern group and bought assets in Birmingham and Edinburgh for a Malaysian pension fund. John was Director, Investment and Development Acquisitions at LaSalle Investment Management, leading LaSalle’s entry into the PBSA market, acquiring £500m properties on behalf of UK and EU pension fund clients, one third through development funding.
Previously John held positions as Investment Director at Saudi Family office Northridge Capital, investing and managing joint venture commercial developments and building a portfolio of core income assets. He was Investment Manager at Treasury Holdings UK, managing a value-add portfolio of commercial, residential and hotel properties. Prior to this, John was Associate Director at M&G Real Estate (formerly PruPIM), managing a South East UK portfolio of mixed commercial properties and managing the asset management team. He qualified as a Chartered Surveyor with specialist practice Chapman Petrie.
John has over 30 years’ investment, development and fund management experience, advising investors on UK real estate. John is a Chartered Surveyor, qualifying in private practice and subsequently holding positions within institutional fund managers, family offices and entrepreneurial advisory boutiques.
John has been active in the UK Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) market since 2011. To date, he has acquired £600 million assets comprising 6,200 beds across the United Kingdom, including London and most of the key regional university cities. He has a wide network of developers, brokers, consultants and operators in the sector, enabling sourcing and stock picking ‘under the radar’ properties, often off-market, via direct negotiations with the owners. John is a specialist in investment strategy, origination, structuring, due diligence and execution for investment assets. He has extensive expertise in development funding and joint venture structuring, alongside core investment acquisitions and asset management and has a strong market profile in the UK PBSA investment market.
John leads SFIM’s investment management, guiding investors on strategy, sourcing assets and co-ordinating investment management.
Journey
Prior to joining SFIM John has held senior roles within institutional fund managers, family offices and advisory boutiques. John was most recently Partner and board member of 90 North Real Estate, a niche investment manager, specialising in cross-border transactions on behalf of Middle Eastern and Asian institutional and private capital. At 90 North John sourced and acquired regional PBSA properties to create a diversified portfolio for a Middle Eastern group and bought assets in Birmingham and Edinburgh for a Malaysian pension fund. John was Director, Investment and Development Acquisitions at LaSalle Investment Management, leading LaSalle’s entry into the PBSA market, acquiring £500m properties on behalf of UK and EU pension fund clients, one third through development funding.
Previously John held positions as Investment Director at Saudi Family office Northridge Capital, investing and managing joint venture commercial developments and building a portfolio of core income assets. He was Investment Manager at Treasury Holdings UK, managing a value-add portfolio of commercial, residential and hotel properties. Prior to this, John was Associate Director at M&G Real Estate (formerly PruPIM), managing a South East UK portfolio of mixed commercial properties and managing the asset management team. He qualified as a Chartered Surveyor with specialist practice Chapman Petrie.
Katy’s leads SFG as a Property Manager, assisting with many administrative projects within the business, as well as the day-to-day management of Southbank Tower, attending to tenant enquiries and organising maintenance.
With a passion for property, architecture, and interior design, Katy thrives when working with our clients to ensure their requests are met.
JourneySince 2005, Katy has worked in the property industry with a background in both high street and online estate agencies, first as a sales progressor guiding sales through to completion, reporting to vendors and buyers, and liaising with the relevant legal teams. Having worked as a letting agent, Katy has experience in building a strong repour with landlords and tenants, with her role being inclusive of undertaking property inspections, filing reports as well as the relevant administration duties to co-inside with compliance.
Katy’s leads SFG as a Property Manager, assisting with many administrative projects within the business, as well as the day-to-day management of Southbank Tower, attending to tenant enquiries and organising maintenance.
With a passion for property, architecture, and interior design, Katy thrives when working with our clients to ensure their requests are met.
JourneySince 2005, Katy has worked in the property industry with a background in both high street and online estate agencies, first as a sales progressor guiding sales through to completion, reporting to vendors and buyers, and liaising with the relevant legal teams. Having worked as a letting agent, Katy has experience in building a strong repour with landlords and tenants, with her role being inclusive of undertaking property inspections, filing reports as well as the relevant administration duties to co-inside with compliance.
Katie has worked in the Higher Education sector since 2016, predominantly in student accommodation.
Katie has particular experience in redeveloping policy and processes to streamline and improve the student journey, and she has led projects to inform strategy and residential partnerships.
Katie uses her knowledge and experience to support SFG's University Advisory Team.
Katie has worked in the Higher Education sector since 2016, predominantly in student accommodation.
Katie has particular experience in redeveloping policy and processes to streamline and improve the student journey, and she has led projects to inform strategy and residential partnerships.
Katie uses her knowledge and experience to support SFG's University Advisory Team.
David has over 20 years of experience in student accommodation and university estates and has specialised in providing strategic estate advice to the higher education sector for the last five years.
David has particular experience in residential strategies, on-campus student housing partnerships, facilities management, catering and commercial operations, and student demand analysis. David has advised 40+ universities in the UK, as well as FE colleges, local authorities, NHS trusts, developers and investors. David’s passion for and thorough understanding of the needs of both students and institutions provide clients with the reassurance of SFG’s commitment to achieving the long-term outcomes and benefits of each project.
David assists Robert within SFG’s University Advisory team, providing services to various Higher Education clients.
Journey
Before joining SFG, David was at Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) for six years, where as Associate Director of Higher Education, he advised universities on projects that created or upgraded 10,000 beds. For most of these, David led dialogue sessions and specialist workstreams around demand and supply studies, FM requirements and service level agreements, student experience and rental strategies. He has also advised student housing partners and investors on similar projects. David has also assisted in producing residential and non-residential estate strategies, provided strategic property advice for Further Education Colleges, and advised NHS trusts on residential partnership projects.
Prior to this, David spent 15 years at the University of London, where he was responsible for the c. 3,000-bed Intercollegiate Halls and also the operation of the academic estate, which consisted of c.140 buildings, 40 of which being directly operated and the considerable grounds which included historic Georgian squares. While at the University, he took a lead role in the specification, procurement and contract management of two student accommodation partnership projects of c.1,900 beds, as well as the University’s bundled FM and catering contracts of c.£10m per annum. He also served on several university committees.
David has a Hotel and Catering Management degree from the University of Surrey. Before moving into the HE sector, he worked in catering, serving as Food and Beverage Manager at a private golf club in Kent and as an Assistant Manager at various PizzaExpress restaurants in Central London.
David has over 20 years of experience in student accommodation and university estates and has specialised in providing strategic estate advice to the higher education sector for the last five years.
David has particular experience in residential strategies, on-campus student housing partnerships, facilities management, catering and commercial operations, and student demand analysis. David has advised 40+ universities in the UK, as well as FE colleges, local authorities, NHS trusts, developers and investors. David’s passion for and thorough understanding of the needs of both students and institutions provide clients with the reassurance of SFG’s commitment to achieving the long-term outcomes and benefits of each project.
David assists Robert within SFG’s University Advisory team, providing services to various Higher Education clients.
Journey
Before joining SFG, David was at Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) for six years, where as Associate Director of Higher Education, he advised universities on projects that created or upgraded 10,000 beds. For most of these, David led dialogue sessions and specialist workstreams around demand and supply studies, FM requirements and service level agreements, student experience and rental strategies. He has also advised student housing partners and investors on similar projects. David has also assisted in producing residential and non-residential estate strategies, provided strategic property advice for Further Education Colleges, and advised NHS trusts on residential partnership projects.
Prior to this, David spent 15 years at the University of London, where he was responsible for the c. 3,000-bed Intercollegiate Halls and also the operation of the academic estate, which consisted of c.140 buildings, 40 of which being directly operated and the considerable grounds which included historic Georgian squares. While at the University, he took a lead role in the specification, procurement and contract management of two student accommodation partnership projects of c.1,900 beds, as well as the University’s bundled FM and catering contracts of c.£10m per annum. He also served on several university committees.
David has a Hotel and Catering Management degree from the University of Surrey. Before moving into the HE sector, he worked in catering, serving as Food and Beverage Manager at a private golf club in Kent and as an Assistant Manager at various PizzaExpress restaurants in Central London.
Philippa acts as asset manager across a portfolio of residential, retail and student accommodation projects. Her role involves executing investment, operational and marketing strategies to maximise value and investment objectives.
She is also responsible for producing annual asset plans, quarterly investment reports, market research papers, as well as undertaking strategic asset reviews of student accommodation investments.
Journey
After graduating with a History degree from the University of Birmingham, Philippa spent 2 years in the student accommodation sector in the UK and Australia as part of a Business Intelligence team providing market and risk analysis.
Philippa then returned to the UK and spent 3 years at Savills. During this time Philippa qualified as a Chartered Surveyor and obtained an MSc in Real Estate Management, whilst working within the commercial valuation team, property management and mixed-use development teams.
Philippa is experienced in undertaking both investment and residual valuations and providing development consultancy and agency advice to support transactional work and complex mixed use and regeneration projects for both private and public sector clients.
Philippa acts as asset manager across a portfolio of residential, retail and student accommodation projects. Her role involves executing investment, operational and marketing strategies to maximise value and investment objectives.
She is also responsible for producing annual asset plans, quarterly investment reports, market research papers, as well as undertaking strategic asset reviews of student accommodation investments.
Journey
After graduating with a History degree from the University of Birmingham, Philippa spent 2 years in the student accommodation sector in the UK and Australia as part of a Business Intelligence team providing market and risk analysis.
Philippa then returned to the UK and spent 3 years at Savills. During this time Philippa qualified as a Chartered Surveyor and obtained an MSc in Real Estate Management, whilst working within the commercial valuation team, property management and mixed-use development teams.
Philippa is experienced in undertaking both investment and residual valuations and providing development consultancy and agency advice to support transactional work and complex mixed use and regeneration projects for both private and public sector clients.
