Broadcaster Sarah Montague and Property Week editor Giles Barry host RESI 2012, in which planning, localism and funding remained key themes.
RESI 2012 was hailed a success yet again and further embedded itself as the UK’s leading conference for the residential property and house-building community. Taking place at Celtic Manor, Newport, from 13 to 14 September, the sell-out event attracted more than 1,000 delegates from across the residential property sector. Speakers also represented the audience who came from leading house-builders, investors, landowners, consultants, as well as the Government.
The conference, now in its sixth year, generated much debate, conversation and opportunities for the industry to connect. Giles Barry, editor-in-chief at Property Week, introduced the conference and key speakers who included Stephen Stone, chief executive at Crest Nicholson and Steve Morgan, chairman at Redrow.
Other key speakers were Andrew Cunningham, chief executive at Grainger, Tony Pidgley, chairman, The Berkeley Group and Liz Peace, chief executive at British Property Federation.
Panel discussions were facilitated enthusiastically by broadcaster Sarah Montague and included the available options for funding and the industry response to the review into institutional barriers in PRS. The need to free up finance and improve planning processes to get the market moving remained key themes throughout the discussions.
The biggest barriers to Getting Britain Building were hotly debated by Stephen Stone, Chief Executive, Crest Nicholson, Steve Morgan, chairman and Redrow David Van Gelder, founding director, Exemplar. They argued their points alongside John Hoad, head of planning, Campaign to Protect Rural England, Simon Marsh, head of planning policy, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Richard Blakeway, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Land and Property, Greater London Authority
The panel emphasised the need for tax breaks, changing stamp duty, removing politics from planning and the need for public investment as key solutions to get the sector moving.
Break out Sessions
Nine break out sessions took place throughout the first day of RESI 2012 (13 September) covering subjects such as the Green Deal, sustainability, mixed use, new models of affordable housing and delivering housing with local authorities.
Roundtables
A series of invite only roundtables were also hosted by sponsors, including JJ Homes and Dexter Moren Associates, to further discuss key issues facing the sector and identify alternative solutions across the sector.
RESI Village
The new RESI Village provided space for the Hospitality Lounge, Gold Sponsors Lounge and RESI café, which was supported by a small hand-picked selection of exhibitors including EC Harris, CBRE and Mace.
One exhibitor, Shaun Harris, MD at Harris Associates said: "Coming to RESI has been an incredibly valuable experience over the years. This is the fifth year we’ve come to RESI and the second year we’ve had a stand. The RESI Village this year has been fantastic – the set up is very conducive to people talking and networking."
Case studies
Topical developments were presented throughout the two days, provided insight and inspiration for the delegates. They included Grosvenor’s presentation on NEO Bankside and a look at the East Village residential property after the Olympics by First Base and Qatari Diar Delancey.
RESI’s Next Big Thing
An enthusiastic return by judges who interrogated and then selected the best product/idea to help improve the residential property market. The judges, Bruce Ritchie, CEO at Residential Land, Nick Candy, CEO at Candy & Candy, John Hitchcox, chair at Yoo and Harry Handelsman, CEO, Manahattan Loft Corp. selected Henry Yates as the winner who created www.estatecreate.com, a cost effective online sales brochure and data room for selling residential developments and investments.
Dinner
The annual RESI dinner completed day one and provided ample opportunity to discuss the day’s events, share ideas and network. The winner of RESI’s Next Big Thing was also announced to the 800 plus diners.
One delegate’s comment on the conference summed up the event – Tony Berridge, founder at BKR said: “RESI is not only a fantastic place to meet new and existing clients, but it also offers tremendous networking opportunities, which is why I’ve come back this year. I’ve found this year’s keynote presentations to be very informative and well put together. Overall, a great event for the industry.”
For more information about RESI 2012 go to www.resievent.com
RESI 2013 took place 12-13 September 2013 at Celtic Manor, Wales.
