I’ve always genuinely enjoyed a good networking event. From the awkward introductions to navigating a room where you don't know a soul, some people dread it, but I’m usually the one working the room with a brew in hand, right in my element.
In the Living sector, that appetite for face-to-face connection pays off far more than you might think. Beyond the pitch decks and contracts, this is an industry where relationships matter.
To the outside world, the Living sector looks massive. We see billions in investment, cranes across the skyline, and new brands emerging constantly. Step inside, however, and you quickly realize it's a tight-knit community.
My career spans both Build-to-Rent (BTR) and Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), having worked on-site before transitioning to the supplier side. That shift gave me a fresh perspective. On-site, success comes down to the dedication and genuine care you show residents every day (and, in my case, 24/7!). That's the exact same energy I bring to the supplier side today, just directed toward a different set of relationships.
That’s why, being a headline sponsor at the Rental Living Summit in Manchester was a proud milestone for us. Beyond brand visibility, a sponsorship like that represents our commitment to showing up, supporting the industry, and actively shaping the conversations that drive the sector forward.
That commitment made the event itself even more valuable. The summit was about much more than a single day of presentations. There was an England match the night before, a site and area tour preceding that, and a drinks reception once the main stage wrapped up. I have a deep appreciation for conferences structured this way, where half the room has already shared a genuine conversation before the doors officially open.
When the doors officially opened, we were front and centre. Our Chief Commercial Officer, Bruce Evans, kicked off with the opening speech, followed later by an insightful masterclass delivered by Bruce and Manu Day. Titled "The Rise of the Guarantor," the masterclass showcased how our service helps landlords, operators, and residents eliminate barriers to renting. As a partner dedicated to driving innovation, seamless collaboration, and positive change across the rental living sector, taking the lead on these discussions felt like a natural fit.
If I had to boil down everything I've learned about networking in this sector into one sentence, it would be my life mantra: just be good to people.
It might sound overly simple, but it works. Be just as genuine and respectful to the person on front-desk work experience as you are to the fund director. Do what you said you were going to do, when you said you were going to do it. None of this is groundbreaking, but you’d be amazed at how rare it is—and how much you stand out when you consistently get it right.
A couple of cases in point:
One of my closest friends started out as a supplier contact, I met while working on-site in BTR. We randomly bumped into each other in the queue for the loo. Fast forward to today, and he’s one of my best mates. That’s not a calculated networking tactic—it’s just what happens when you treat people well and remain genuinely open to the people you cross paths with.
Likewise, back when I worked on-site, I took numerous senior executives on property tours where I could have easily been dismissed as "just a member of the site team." Trust me, I remembered the people in those senior roles who actually cared and took the time to engage. Today, those are the exact people I'm doing business with.
Deals move faster when trust already exists. When you send a proposal over, it lands on the desk of a human being, not a faceless corporate entity. If that person doesn't trust you because you overstated a point, skipped building a rapport, or simply hit them with a data dump, that deal is going to stagnate.
Likewise, the junior team member you take the time to support today could easily be the decision-maker hiring you a few years down the line.
None of this shows up on a spreadsheet. Yet, even in my time moving across this sector, I can confirm that my best opportunities have rarely come from a cold email or call.
You don't need to work every room like it's a competitive sport. Simply show up, be genuinely interested in the person standing in front of you, and treat the event as more than just a box to tick on your calendar.
The Living sector is built by people who continuously bump into each other at conferences, on panels, and in the pub afterward. So next time an invite lands in your inbox, go. Be present and be interested. You never know where that next conversation might lead.
