September 18-19, 2024 9/18/2024 3:01:05 PM 7/19/2024 3:01:21 PM Europe/London

ULF

The leading industry news resource; industry awards and international b2b conference and exhibitions for the sector 5 - 7 Tavistock Place London, WC1H 9SN International Hospitality Media info@internationalhospitality.media
Mary Ward House, Bloomsbury, LONDON LONDON

Festival Schedule 2024

The region's only investment and leadership conference for urban innovators at the cutting edge of contemporary hospitality and real estate.

Exclusive Property Tours: Experience first hand some of the most exciting properties and developments in the King's Cross area of London. Immerse yourself in the city's dynamic real estate and hospitality landscape and witness innovation in action on our curated walking tour of some of the best hospitality and living sector properties

Property 1: Scape Bloomsbury, 19-29 Woburn Place, London WC1H 0AQ 

Attendees will experience a firsthand look at a world-class, recently refurbished period student accommodation designed with students' needs in mind, showcasing modern amenities and elegant historical charm.

Property 2: Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel, 1-8 Russell Square, London, WC1B 5BE

Expect to be captivated by the Kimpton Fitzroy London, a stunning 19th-century landmark transformed into a contemporary haven. Our tour will inspire you with the harmonious blend of heritage and comfort that defines this iconic London hotel.

Property 3: LABS, 15-19 Bloomsbury Way, WC1A 2TH

Attendees viewing this property can expect to be impressed by its sophisticated blend of historical charm and contemporary design. They will experience versatile office spaces tailored to suit a range of business needs, from coworking areas to private offices, complemented by state-of-the-art amenities such as gyms, outdoor spaces, and meeting rooms. 
When attending a property viewing at Uncommon, you can expect an experience that blends professional compatibility, emotional intelligence, and inspired purpose. The spaces are thoughtfully designed to evolve with your needs, creating an environment where you can thrive. They pride themselves on understanding what matters to you, building genuine human connections, and exceeding expectations at every turn. With a shared sense of optimism and commitment to shaping a better future, every visit becomes an inspiring step toward achieving your goals.
Directions:

 

A sign-up form has been sent to all confirmed ticket holders.

Join us as lots of hospitality and real estate industry professionals across the urban living landscape converge.

Enjoy a selection of beer, wine, and delicious nibbles in a relaxed and vibrant setting. If the weather allows, we’ll be gathering on the stunning rooftop, where you can take in the views while connecting with fellow attendees. In case of rain, we’ll move to the cozy area near the bar on the Lower Ground floor, nestled by beautiful trees. This is the perfect opportunity to unwind, make new connections, and soak in the festival atmosphere at Uncommon.

Location: Uncommon, 81-87 High Holborn London, WC1V 6DF

There will be plenty of networking opportunities with lots of hospitality and real estate leaders, including IHM's Editor-in-Chief, George Sell, Editor, URBAN LIVING NEWS and Serviced Apartment News ; Eloise Hanson, Editor, Boutique Hotel News and Paul Stevens, Editor, ShortTermRentalz.com, over a drink or two - an evening not to be missed!

 

A great opportunity to take coffee and a pastry and network whilst meeting our exhibitors to discover innovative ways to grow your business.

Location: Exhibition Room

- George Sell, Editor-in-chief, IHM sets the scene for the day

George Sell

International Hospitality Media

Investors, developers and industry figures from across the living and hospitality sectors discuss the challenges and opportunities inherent in funding and delivering new projetcs.

Moderator: Balraj Birdi, head of residential investment, Eversheds Sutherland
• Ami Kotecha, co-founder and group president, Amro Partners
• Alexander Jan, non-executive director, Central District Alliance
• Harry Harris, managing director, SUSD

Balraj Birdi

Eversheds Sutherland

Ami Kotecha

Amro Partners

Alexander Jan

Central District Alliance

A summary of the UK's BTR sector, covering inventory, development pipelines, market outlook, investment activity and transactions.

- Lizzie Breckner, head of BTR Research, Knight Frank

Lizzie Breckner

Knight Frank

A detailed look at the Greater London Authority's recent planning guidance note and its implications for coliving in the capital and beyond.
Moderator: Matt Lesniak, co-founder, Conscious Coliving
Jermaine Browne, co-founder, Re:Shape Living
Valentine Agamah, business director, Cascade Communications

Jermaine Browne

Re:shape Living Group

Matt Lesniak

Conscious Coliving

Valentine Agamah

Cascade Communications

Richard Ward, head of research at StuRents.com sets the scene for the PBSA stream with a comprehensive overview of the UK student accommodation sector, covering demand, demographics, rates, supply and more.

Richard Ward

StuRents

As planners increasingly opt for renovations rather than new-builds, what are the latest adaptive reuse trends among hospitality investors and developers, and what are the challenges and opportunities inherent in giving a building a new purpose?


- Moderator: Aubrey Calderwood, managing director, Gateley Capitus

- Eric Jafari, founder and managing director, AENDRE

- Tiago Venancio, managing director, TREASURESTS Hospitality

- Philippa Wagner, founder, PeoplePlacesSpaces

- Elizabeth Jackson, brand and ESG director, LOFT

Aubrey Calderwood

Gateley Capitus

Eric Jafari

AENDRE Limited

Tiago Venancio

TREASURESTS Hospitality

Philippa Wagner

PeoplePlacesSpaces

Industry advocates and leading representatives from trade associations come together to discuss the importance of lobbying for fair, proportionate STR regulations in global markets, as well as addressing what "smart" policies entail and dispelling some of the false narratives that are perpetuated about the sector.
- Moderator: Paul Stevens, editor, Short Term Rentalz
 
- Ben Edgar-Spier, Head of regulation and policy, Sykes Holiday Cottages

- Matt Curtis, Smart City Policy Group

Matt Curtis

Smart City Policy Group

Paul Stevens

Short Term Rentalz

Ben Edgar-Spier

Sykes Holiday Cottages

The impact of artificial intelligence is being felt in every aspect of our lives and across all industries, but what does its inexorable advance mean for the living and hospitality sectors, and how might it affect you in your role? The session will include a live demonstration of cutting edge AI applications.
Nikodem Szumilo, director at The Bartlett Real Estate Institute, associate professor at UCL

Nikodem Szumilo

The Bartlett Real Estate Institute

Single family rentals accounted for 42 per cent of all UK BTR investment in 2023, and its investor appeal shows no signs of abating. How is the sector likely to evolve over the next few years?


- Moderator: Richard Berridge, founder, Blackbird RE

- Lizzie Breckner, head of BTR research, Knight Frank

- Paul Borrmann, managing director, Ascend Properties

- David Mawson, CEO, Placefirst

- Khushalee Rajgor, Associate director - investments, Citra Living

Richard Berridge

Blackbird RE

Lizzie Breckner

Knight Frank

Paul Borrmann

Ascend Properties

David Mawson

Placefirst

Khushalee Rajgor

Citra Living

In a sector which is still in its infancy, how can new entrants to coliving build a scaleable platform. The discussion will cover strategies for growth, brand differentiation, and operational efficiency.

Moderator, Katherine Rose, managing director, VervLife

- Alex Gibbs, co-founder and director, Built Asset Management
- Bart Sasim, co-founder, Coliving Ventures
- Yianni Tsitouras, CEO, POHA House
- Yoni Karako, principal, Courtier Capital and co-founder, Vonder

- Katherine Rose, Managing director, VervLife

 

Bart Sasim

Coliving Ventures

Yianni Tsitouras

POHA House

Yoni Karako

Courtier Capital

Katherine Rose

VervLife

Business travel has fundamentally changed, and whilst volume is down there's opportunities to capture new demand. Forward-thinking operators will adapt to the shifting business travel landscape by offering flexible stays, rolling out sustainability initiatives, deploying technology and more.

- Moderator: Clive Wratten, CEO, The BTA

- Lisette Sprangers, head of revenue & channel management, Yosaa

- Archie Hunter, development director, Native Group

- Sam Ghosh, VP operations, STAY 

- Fausto Vieira da Silva, manager, solutions consultants, PriceLabs

- Mark Houston, corporate business development manager, Urban Chic

Given the constant evolution of the tech landscape and as the rate of adoption of artificial intelligence [AI] accelerates, this session will analyse how leading tech vendors, property managers and OTAs are seeking to disrupt the STR space with revolutionary solutions, while enhancing the guest experience and driving operational efficiencies.
 
- Moderator: Jessica Gillingham, Founder and CEO, Abode Worldwide
- Nolan Mondrow, CEO, Remotelock
- Ruth Whitehead, COO, eviivo
- Luke Squires, operations director, Sykes Holiday Cottages

Nolan Mondrow

Remotelock

Jessica Gillingham

Abode Worldwide

Luke Squires

Sykes Holiday Cottages

30 mins to make more contacts and do business with our exhibitors

Panel: The new government and the real estate industry’s wish list
What do the real estate and hospitality indutries want from Starmer's government and what are they likely to get? The session will cover planning, regeneration, tax, finance, sustainability and more.
Moderator: James Pargeter, senior advisor, GAA
- Matthew Williams, partner, Fladgate
- Stewart Moore, CEO, Kooky
- Jillian Giberson, global head of policy & regulation, Longevity Partners
- Oliver Hazell, associate director, Cavendish

James Pargeter

Global Apartment Advisors

Jillian Giberson

Longevity Partners

Oliver Hazell

Cavendish

Design and operations - adapting to the evolving needs of renters
As the BTR market matures and looks to new audiences who are seeking alternatives to home ownership, how can developers, operators and architects ensure that the projects they deliver offer the optimum resident experience?

- Moderator: Hannah Marsh, co-founder, HomeViews

- Sam Smith, director of operations and leasing, Dandara Living

- Dheraen Quick, general manager, Coppermaker Square

- Alastair Mullens, managing director, Vertus

- Damon Gacicia, director, Airbnb for real estate

Sam Smith

Dandara Living

An in-depth look at the progress made so far - and the steps still to be taken - for coliving to be widely accepted as a mainstream asset class. What will this mean for operators, developers and end users, and what effect will it have on diversity of product offering?

Moderator: Barry McKeown, real estate partner and BTR lead, Shoosmiths
Panellists:
- Zafar Bhunoo, CEO, Limitless
- Jenna Harris, head of coliving, Harris Associates
- Edward Boughton, director, real estate lending department, Investec Bank
- Stephanie Barbabosa, head of BTR, Lendlease

Zafar Bhunoo

Limitless

Jenna Harris

Harris Associates

Barry McKeown

Shoosmiths

Edward Boughton

Investec Bank

This session will present the latest market data and insights from STR, a leading provider of hotel industry data and analytics. Expect an overview of trending KPIs and forward-looking data.

Speaker:

  • Ryan Bains, Senior Account Manager, STR

Building strong university partnerships: Strategies for collaboration between developers, operators, and universities.
Moderator: Sam Bailey-Watts, student housing consultant and advisor
Panellists:
- Scott Lewis, COO, Homes For Students
- Chris Owens, legal director, Pinsent Masons
- Sarah Jones, partner, Cushman & Wakefield

Sam Bailey-Watts

Student housing strategy and operations

Chris Owens

Pinsent Masons

Scott Lewis

Homes For Students

Sarah Jones

Cushman & Wakefield

Fragmentation is natural in a vertical that is as disruptive and transformative as the short-term rental sector is, but further consolidation is inevitable as large, well-backed companies aim to enhance their tech stack or increase their footprint. This session will explore what the future holds for investment prospects and consolidation, and what is capturing investor attention.

- Moderator: Matthew Parsons, founder, Etude Agency

- Philip Grace, chief development officer, Bob W 

- Begum Agca Oktugen, head of partner network, Blueground

- Eduardo Navarrette, founding partner, Konta Partners

Matthew Parsons

Etude Agency

Eduardo Navarrete

Konta Partners

A dynamic panel discussion exploring the path towards net zero in our built environment. The session will cover investment and finance, embodied carbon, design, operational efficiency, supply chain, technology, tenant engagement, certification and more. 

Moderator: Christopher Wilson, business development manager, Iterum
- Sophie Goddard, director of ESG, Canary Wharf Group
- Stuart Godwin, managing director, Lamington Group
- Gilbert Lennox-King, CEO, Construction Carbon

Sophie Goddard

Canary Wharf Group

Stuart Godwin

Lamington Group

Gilbert Lennox-King

Construction Carbon

The Ant and the Elephant: How proptech and BTR must cooperate to progress

A presentation and panel discussion looking at the challenges and opportunities faced by the BTR sector when it comes to selecting, implementing and generating value from proptech.

- Moderator: Jess Glover, Markets and propositions director, ASK4
Panellists:
- Katherine Rose, managing director, VervLife
- Mandisa Khabo, technical director, international development & operations, Greystar
- Sam Smith, director of operations and leasing, Dandara Living

Katherine Rose

VervLife

Sam Smith

Dandara Living

Mandisa Khabo

Greystar

A look at the adaptive reuse opportunities on offer in the coliving space - which types of buildings work best, and what are the dos and don'ts?

Moderator: Joanne Kelly, construction partner, Fladgate
- Dr Sabine Schaffer, co-founder and CEO Europe, Pro-Invest Group
- Robin Callister, creative director, Urbanist Architecture
- Iain Murray, head of operational living, Bidwells

 

Sabine Schaffer

Pro-Invest Group

Robin Callister

Urbanist Architecture

Iain Murray

Bidwells

Joanne Kelly

Fladgate

Gen Z - those born between 1997 and 2011 - now make up the majority of the student population. They have very different requirements of their accommodation and surrouding ecosystem than previous generations. How can PBSA operators ensure they are providing the right services and amenities, and how can they prepare for the arrival of Gen Alpha (2011 - 2025), the oldest of whom will be in higher education in five years time?

Presentation by Sarah Canning and Deenie Lee, co-founders of The Property Marketing Strategists

Sarah Canning

The Property Marketing Strategists

Deenie Lee

The Property Marketing Strategists

Owners and investors are diversifying beyond hotel rooms to cater to changing guest preferences and fierce competition. This session will explore the coworking, BTR and student housing sectors, providing an insight into the challenges and opportunities of broadening investment portfolios.

 

- Moderator: Robert Richardson, CEO, Institute of Hospitality

- Jarkko Härmälä, franchise and international development, VALO Hotel&Work

- Mark Ditchburn, head of design, The Parkane Group

- Vedrana Riley, CEO, Ciel Capital

- Ilya Tabachinskiy, head of development UK, The Social Hub

Jarkko Harmala

VALO Hotel&Work

Robert Richardson

Institute of Hospitality

Mark Ditchburn

The Parklane Group

Vedrana Riley

Ciel Capital Ltd

Ilya Tabachinskiy

The Social Hub

This session will give a digestible overview of all the key booking trends and behaviours thanks to a data provider, a property manager and a booking platform, enabling attendees to take actionable insights back to their day-to-day businesses.

Moderator: Paul Stevens, Editor of STRz, IHM

- Sally Henry, VP of business development, EMEA, Key Data Dashboard

- Oliver Stern, Sales and partnerships, EMEA, Wheelhouse

Sally Henry

Key Data Dashboard

Oliver Stern

Wheelhouse

Paul Stevens

Short Term Rentalz

Get re-energised over lunch with 60 mins of dedicated networking time.

PLUS, we will announce the first EVER winners for 2024 of the Urban Living Impact Awards - hosted in the expo area at 13.40 - 14.00!

As weather conditions around the world become more extreme, Simon Chinn, VP research & advisory services at the Urban Land Institute, talks about strategies, policies and construction techniques which can adapt to climate change and ensure we are building climate resilient urban environments.

Simon Chinn

Urban Land Institute

As the BTR sector in top tier markets becomes increasingly competitive, lease up rates are slowing. How can operators streamline the process using proptech as well as looking to new market verticals to fill inventory during a building's early stages?

Moderator: Lesley Roberts, managing director, Monogram Living
- Freya Richard, director of operations & Leasing, Vertus
- David Woodward, CEO, Global Apartment Advisors

Lesley Roberts

Monogram Living

David Woodward

Global Apartment Advisors

Intergenerational living is a growing movement in real estate and operations, and can provide numerous benefits for various resident groups, including students and the elderly, as well as interesting synergies for operators. This panel will look at current thinking around intergenerational living and will discuss some of the most progressive schemes that have embraced the concept.

Moderator: Harry Harris, managing director, SUSD
- Hannah Chappatte, founder and CEO, Hybr
- Marcus Hodges, COO, Birchgrove
- Valeria Leonardi, CSO, UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing

Marcus Hodges

Birchgrove

Valeria Leonardi

UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing

How is the PBSA sector affected by planning issues, development finance costs and investor sentiment? Do supply and demand fundamentals override these obstacles and what does the future hold?
Moderator: Jamie Harris, head of student accommodation, Harris Associates
- Joe Flaherty, director, Beaufort Capital Management
- Jonni Glick, investor, Deutsche Finance International
- Owain Thomas, managing director, land and development, Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures

Jamie Harris

Harris Associates

Joe Flaherty

Beaufort Capital Management

Jonni Glick

Deutsche Finance International

Owain Thomas

Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures

The cost of financing is one of the biggest challenges for hoteliers, with the IMF forecasting global inflation to steadily decline to 4.5 per cent in 2025. Maturing loans are prompting sales activity, where this session will feature a short presentation on finance and investment trends with a follow up discussion amongst active investors and lenders. 

- Presenter: Tom Oakden, managing director, Hilltop Hospitality Advisors

- Moderator: Andrew Harrington, co-founder & managing partner, AHV Associates

- Dave North, head of hotels, real estate and housing, Lloyds Banking Group 

- Sam Pardo-Preston, vice president, Lifestyle Hospitality Capital

- Jinal Patel, vice president - acquisitions, EQ Group

Dave North

Lloyds Banking Group

Tom Oakden

Meliá Hotels International

Andrew Harrington

AHV Associates

Jinal Patel

EQ Group

Sam Pardo-Preston

Lifestyle Hospitality Capital

The workspace content stream kicks off with a round up of investment and finance trends and activity in the flex workspace and coworking sector. Introduced by our workspace content host - Zoe Ellis-Moore, CEO & founder, Spaces to Places
Moderator: Lisa Cations, founder and managing director, JCR Advisors
- Nuno Trigo, co-founder and co-CEO, Feel Porto
- Josie Baum, co-founder, ARC Club
- Graham Barnes, managing director - strategic partnerships, Praxis

Nuno Trigo

Feel Porto

Josie Baum

ARC Club

Lisa Cations

JCR advisors

How can housebuilders/developers, operators and investors collaborate more effectively to increase BTR delivery and to improve operations? The session will cover site acquisition and allocation, deal and partnership structures, product design, operations, investor appetite and more.
Moderator - Rupert Bates, editorial director, Show House
- Debra Yudolph, founder and CEO, SAY Property Consulting
- Kelly Bream, COO, Bidwells

Rupert Bates

Show House

Debra Yudolph

SAY Property Consulting

Kelly Bream

Bidwells

What do later living buyers and renters really want?
As the UK later living sector matures and operators and developers refine their offer, what does the end user want from their accommodation? The session will touch on demographics, affordability, design, amenities, programming, sustainability and technology. 

Moderator: Rebecca Shafran, director, alternative markets - research, BNP Paribas Real Estate
Panellists:
• Ali Powell, Founder and CEO, Commercial Acceleration
• Martin Earp, chief executive, Riverstone
• Anne-Marie Nicholson, CEO, AMN Architects
• Lex Cumber, sales & marketing director, Untold Living

Rebecca Shafran

BNP Paribas Real Estate

Ali Powell

Commercial Acceleration

Anne-Marie Nicholson

AMN Architects

Lex Cumber

Untold Living

Martin Earp

Riverstone

As local governments and banks increasingly prioritise ESG goals, the hospitality industry faces mounting pressure to reduce its environmental impact. Expect strategic insights on setting realistic and measurable targets, managing supply chains, navigating financing options and incentives, and more.

- Moderator: Benedetta Cassinelli, co-founder and CEO, Considerate Group
- James Fry, founder, Beyond Apartments & Aparthotels
- Sem Schuurkes, co-founder, CityHub
- Kelli Turner, General counsel and director of ESG, Village Hotels
- Leo Colgan, co-founder & chief growth officer, IMS Connect

Benedetta Cassinelli

Considerate Group

Kelli Turner

Village Hotels

Leo Colgan

IMS Connect

James Fry

Beyond Apartments & Aparthotels

As office clients demand more flexibility, how is the relationship and deal strucrture between landlords and operators evolving in response?

- Moderator: Aceil Haddad, founder, Matt PR

- Will Kinnear, director, Hewn

- Alan Pepper, CEO, Orega

 

An in-depth look at how the latest proptech solutions, including AI and machine learning, are being used to revolutionise building design, construction processes and property management

- Moderator: Dominic Grace, principal, Dominic Grace Limited
Panellists:
- Oliver Mold, head of BIM, Assael Architecture
- Michael Hughes, director, Cast Consultancy
- Katherine Rose, managing director, VervLife

Dominic Grace

Dominic Grace Limited

Michael Hughes

Cast Consultancy

Oliver Mold

Assael Architecture

Katherine Rose

VervLife

Take another 30 mins to refresh and make new contacts, and it's your last chance to meet exhibitors to help your business.

The new Labour government has unveiled ambitious plans to build 1.5 million new homes during the course of this five-year parliament, but it has placed the emphasis on home ownership with very little detail about the need to boost the professional rental sector. This panel will have examine the government's attitude to BTR and what the sector can do to ensure the sector is seen and heard at the top table.
- Moderator: Brendan Geraghty, CEO, ARL
- Ashley Perry, investment director, Apache Capital
- Tracey Hartley, senior director of operations, CompassRock International
- Wyn Evans, founding partner, Shared Voice

Brendan Geraghty

The Association for Rental Living

Ashley Perry

Apache Capital

Wyn Evans

Shared Voice

Tracey Hartley

CompassRock International

Three innovative tech companies will take the stage, each presenting a solution to a challenge faced within hospitality. Following each five-minute pitch, two seasoned technology experts will lead a short Q&A with the presenters. The session will end with an audience vote. 

- David Molofsky, product manager, IRIS Software Systems Ltd

- Christophe Gater, co-founder, Quendoo

- Simon Wisdom, VP sales and marketing, Softbank Robotics

- Pooja Naidu, VP of product SaaS, Mews

- Nadav Cornberg, Co-Founder and CTO of Virdee

David Molofsky

IRIS Software Systems Ltd

Simon Wisdom

Softbank Robotics

An in-depth look at the rise of the industry-specific workspace, which caters to audiences as diverse as lawyers, dentists, carpenters, architects, product designers, therapists and life coaches.

Moderator: Zoe Ellis-Moore, CEO & founder, Spaces to Places

  • Jane Sartin, executive director, Flexible Space Association
  • Grace Bills, head of new locations partnerships, Plus X Innovation
  • Ann-Marie Kinlock, founder, KindHaus

 

Zoe Ellis-Moore

Spaces to Places

Jane Sartin

Flexible Space Association

Grace Bills

Plus X Innovation

A summary of the day's learnings followed by drinks.

“It’s always a pleasure to be here. It’s not my first time. It’s always a great forum to discuss with all the other industry professionals and to meet the investors and the technology providers, as well as see familiar faces. Overall, it is a great event that we attend every year. We are also the app sponsor and we are very happy about that. For sure, we will be back.”

Pawel Gawor, CEO, City Pop