Real Estate:UK (RE:UK)
The Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF), the British Property Federation (BPF) and the Investment Property Forum (IPF) have come together to establish a new, unified representative body for the UK real estate investment industry - Real Estate:UK (RE:UK) - bringing together the strengths of all three organisations to create a single, stronger voice for the sector.
The aim is to improve engagement with government and regulators, enhance cross-sector collaboration, and support the future success and sustainability of UK real estate.
AREF remains fully operational during this transition, continuing to deliver all existing services, events and initiatives for members.
RE:UK
UK real estate is a major player in the UK economy and fundamental to all parts of life - our workplaces, our homes and the places we come together to spend our leisure time.
Our sector has changed dramatically over the years and continues to evolve to meet changing needs and market conditions.
AREF, BPF and IPF have a proud history of representing, bringing together and supporting UK real estate. We’ve evolved with the sector and are looking to build on recent successes by resetting for the market of today. We have worked hard to ensure that our sector is seen by politicians as a critical partner in the delivery of growth and homes and that we raise standards, drive innovation and thought leadership across the sector, and bring those working in it together across the country to network and learn from each other. We will build on this to create a unified RE:UK supporting the future health of the sector.
By coming together to form RE:UK we have a once in a generation chance to create a powerful single convenor and voice for UK real estate, and we invite you to join us.
RE:UK Timeline
Following the announcement in November 2024 about merger discussions between AREF, BPF and IPF, we've been busy laying the groundwork for how RE:UK will operate and what it means for existing members of all three organisations. This work has been overseen by a shadow board, made up of representatives from the three organisations.
Voting
Between July and August 2025, members of AREF, BPF and IPF voted overwhelmingly to create RE:UK.100% of AREF members; 99.5% of BPF members and 92% of IPF members who voted expressed their support for the merger.
Next Steps
Following the endorsement from members, the Chairs of the three organisations will work together to appoint a Chair who will lead the first RE:UK Board and a Chief Executive for RE:UK.
Press Releases
→ Read the joint statement by AREF issued November 2024
→ AREF Update on RE:UK via Webinar on 13th August 2025 - read the recap / watch the recording / listen to the podcast
→ Trade body members vote in favour of Real Estate: UK - read the press release from 1st September 2025
Document Library
AREF, BPF and IPF have created a Prospectus outlining their plans for the proposed merger, as well as a mission, purpose and governance - read these below.
RE:UK Prospectus
Click here or the image below to download the RE:UK Prospectus.
RE:UK Mission & Purpose
Click here or the image below to download the Mission & Purpose document.
RE:UK Governance Structure
Click here or the image below to download the RE:UK Governance Structure document.
Enquiries
AREF continues to support all member types – Fund, Affiliate, Associate and Investor – during this period. All regular activity, including the AREF Charter, training, events and policy work, remains unchanged.
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].
We will continue to share updates as the transition develops.