Press Releases

• New Board will lead advocacy for the Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) sector and highlight the sector’s instrumental role in supporting students and the higher education sector and driving UK economic growth through regeneration, investment and job creation  
• The Board will bring together eight senior representatives from leading PBSA providers in the UK, representing over 250,000 beds
• Joe Lister, Chief Executive Officer of Unite Students, appointed as Chair

The British Property Federation (BPF) has launched a Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) Board (The Board). The Board will lead engagement with national, regional and local government and highlight the critical role the sector has in supporting the UK higher education sector and driving economic growth. PBSA provides professionally managed homes to over 450,000 students, with c.£90 billion invested in the sector since 2015. 

The Board’s key focus will be to enhance the understanding of PBSA’s contribution to students, universities, communities, and the UK economy. It will demonstrate how the provision of PBSA supports the Government’s focus on increasing housing supply by reducing pressure on local residential housing market, while supporting its skills agenda by enhancing the UK’s appeal as a global study destination.

It will be chaired by Joe Lister, Chief Executive of Unite Students, who has more than 20 years’ of experience at Unite and an extensive understanding of the property and higher education sectors. He will be joined on the Board by a number of senior executives from the UK’s leading PBSA providers. The Board will work in collaboration with the BPF’s Executive team, led by Melanie Leech, and the BPF’s existing Student Accommodation Committee.

Joe Lister, Chief Executive Officer, Unite Students, said: “Purpose-built student accommodation is fundamental to the UK’s world-class higher education sector and to the prosperity of the towns and cities it supports. Through the BPF’s new PBSA Board, we will bring the sector together working with universities, communities and government to unlock responsible, well-located supply where it is needed most. 

“One of our biggest challenges is meeting rapidly evolving student needs. As providers, we are committed to delivering high-quality, affordable and sustainable homes that support long-term university growth. As chair, my focus is on turning collaboration into practical action so more students can access the homes they need to thrive.” 

Matt Merrick, Chief Executive, iQ Student Accommodation, said, “I’m delighted to join this new Board, which will give PBSA a unified industry voice at a pivotal time. By bringing together some of the sector’s most influential organisations, we have a real opportunity to shape strategic and policy priorities that support sustainable growth and long-term value. PBSA is a vital part of the UK’s higher education landscape, and I look forward to contributing to the Board’s work to ensure the sector continues to make an important contribution for students, universities, and the wider community.”

Melanie Leech, Chief Executive, British Property Federation, said, “National and local economies benefit extensively from the millions of students that attend the UK’s universities. The Board has been created to continue to make the case to Government that PBSA has a critical role in providing students with safe secure housing that improves the overall student experience, while alleviating pressure on local housing supply and contributing to regional development. I look forward to working with Joe and his colleagues on the BPF PBSA Board to further the provision of professionally managed student housing and supports the Government’s ambition for growth.”

The founding members of the BPF PBSA Board are:

• Joe Lister, Chief Executive Officer at Unite Students
• Matthew Merrick, Chief Executive Officer at iQ Student Accommodation
• Alex Pease, Chief Executive Officer at Watkin Jones
• Ashling Fox, Managing Director at Student Roost
• Duncan Garrood, Chief Executive Officer at Empiric Student Property
• Elaine Hewitt, Chief Executive Officer at UPP
• Nick Porter, Chief Executive Officer at The Dot Group
• Graham Rogers, Chief Executive at Homes for Students