Investment agency Harris Associates has hired Alex Matthews as its first head of build-to-rent.
The former Savills and Colliers BTR capital markets expert will take the lead in securing funding, overseeing acquisitions and strategically managing divestments for Harris within the BTR sector.
In his previous roles Matthews has directed funding and investment strategies totalling more than £3bn. In the past three years he has advised on projects involving 3,700 units, valued at more than £1.3bn.
The new BTR wing is expected to build on Harris’s track record in the PBSA and co-living capital markets. Currently, the firm is handling more than £1.2bn of UK disposal projects.
Harris said Matthews will spearhead strategies to attract foreign capital and foster international partnerships, particularly from Asian investors, through the firm’s strategic partnership with Edmund Tie in Singapore, which was formerly owned by DTZ. Harris said this would create new opportunities for growth and collaboration in BTR.
Jamie Harris, head of student accommodation at Harris Associates, said: “Alex’s invaluable experience in the sector and his entrepreneurial outlook make him a perfect fit as the market evolves.”
Matthews said: “The firm is strategically positioned to revolutionise the BTR sector by introducing forward-thinking solutions, propelling the market into the future while also attracting new investors, including international partners.”
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