First and foremost I hope this finds you safe and well.
Like most of our membership, AREF is settling into working remotely and as challenging as current circumstances are, we will strive to continue as normal as possible.
Furthermore, I wanted to assure members that AREF continues to be here for everyone, to help you in any appropriate way that we can as an association.
You will have seen some of my updates which were emailed out to members over the last couple of weeks (links). We have been busy liaising with the FCA, BoE and Treasury regarding potential ramifications of market conditions and material valuation uncertainty, seeking appropriate guidance and providing granular information (Click for more information on this). Through our close relationship with the Investment Association (IA) we will continue to ensure our industry's voice is heard in their regular ongoing discussions with these bodies too. We also continue to have calls with the PIA on a daily basis at this time to ensure clear lines of communication are maintained between AREF and the various other industry bodies.
We have set-up a new Information Hub and Discussion Forum for our members and the industry. I encourage you all to take a look at these and contribute where you can. We also have a couple of webinars coming up, one this week with INREV on liquidity and pricing in current market circumstances, and another on Tuesday 7th which kicks off the first in our new series AREF Crisis Forums, which will address a range of topics including valuations, rents, insolvency, debt and other everyday practical issues.
It is important to remember that rather than providing guidance itself, AREF’s primary role is to facilitate effective communication across our members in the real estate funds industry, and to act as a conduit of communication between the FCA, BoE and Government. All three are currently hungry for detailed real-time information, and we would therefore ask members to keep AREF updated on important developments in the market or with your own funds.
I should like to reiterate that AREF is here for its members. Please do contact us, should you think there is something AREF can help with.
I hope everybody and their families are keeping well.
Paul
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