As we continue to expand our footprint in the UK and launch new developments in conjunction with developers and housebuilders, we’re pleased to introduce you to our 4 new team members!
Adam Baxter, Alasdair Manson, and Katie Stamper all join as Partnerships Managers, while Josh Bedford has been appointed Graduate Partnerships Manager. Their roles will see them expanding Wise Living’s partnership model into new regions, identifying development opportunities, and working alongside developers to get those schemes to contract.
With time spent at property consultant Fisher German, Chartered Surveyor, Adam is excited about a new challenge having previously acted for large corporates on their utility assets across the UK:
“It’s exciting to join a relatively new, fast growing and ambitious company,” said Adam. “I’m ready to get out and meet people, get involved in some negotiations and hopefully bring in some deals.”
Alasdair has worked in the property management and development sector with Housing Associations and Local Authorities across the country for over 20 years. His experience includes 10 years with Kensington and Chelsea ALMO, finishing as Assistant Director for Neighbourhood Management, and three years with Metropolitan Housing Association. Explaining why he joined Wise Living, Alasdair said:
“Families who are hardworking often have little choice between the hard to access home ownership and public sector housing market, and are forced into lower quality private rented housing with poor management. By meeting the growing demand for good quality modern rented housing, Wise Living helps provide more flexible choices for people, and ensure that renting is seen as a first option for families who want a modern home to live in with a reliable and responsible landlord who cares.”
Katie takes on the role of Partnerships Manager after starting her own student buy-to-let business while still at university. She went on to work at LiveWest Housing Association and sits on the board of Women in Social Housing South West and is a commission member on the Bristol Property Inclusion Commission. Katie is looking forward to introducing the Wise Living partnership model to the South West:
“I like that Wise Living is filling a gap in the market. In the South West, there aren’t many build- to-rent providers that offer single-family homes in well-connected areas. The build-to-rent market is very hot in places like Bristol, but this is mostly for high-rise apartment developments – there isn’t really anything for families and people who’d prefer not to live in a flat.”
Josh joins the team after graduating from Nottingham Trent University earlier this summer and is looking forward to getting hands-on in his new role, while also completing his APC:
“I work directly under the Managing Director as well as the Land & Partnerships Director, which you rarely get as a graduate at some big developers. I am most looking forward to when I can have my own caseload of clients, creating partnerships and winning some sites on my own.”
Welcoming Adam, Alasdair, Katie, and Josh to Wise Living, Mark Gratton, our Land & Partnerships Director, said:
“Partnerships are central to the Wise Living model and it’s great to see the team growing so significantly. Our partners have already seen that by reducing the number of open-market units and introducing BTR properties, the risk of shifting housing stock is lowered while at the same time adding a new stream of income from the BTR homes.
“Adam, Alasdair, Katie and Josh have a sound understanding of the market and believe in our core aim – setting a new standard for BTR homes in the UK. Their experience enables us to open up new markets and I can’t wait to see what they achieve.”
Mixing open market and BTR units has become an increasingly popular option for developers as a way of de-risking portfolios and maximising cash flow, and our new recruits have joined the team to help manage our growing number of partnerships.
