The formation of a representative organisation for the real estate sector, Real Estate: UK (RE:UK) will move ahead following an overwhelming vote in favour across all three member organisations. 100% of AREF members; 99.5% of BPF members and 92% of IPF members who voted expressed their support for the merger.
RE:UK will serve as a unified convenor and voice for the whole of the real estate sector, comprising institutional and private investors, property companies, developers, asset owners, managers and advisers. Its activities will be based around six key pillars: advocacy; research and data; thought leadership and innovation; networking and events; upskilling and training; and standards and guidance.
Following the endorsement from members, the Chairs of the Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF), the British Property Federation (BPF) and the Investment Property Forum (IPF) will work together to appoint a Chair who will lead the first RE:UK Board and a Chief Executive for RE:UK.
RE:UK will launch on 1 January 2026. Initially members will have dual membership and 2026 will be a transitional year as the organisations are fully integrated.
Anne Breen, Chair AREF , said: “The response from the memberships of AREF, BPF and IPF has been overwhelmingly positive and a strong endorsement of our vision for a single, amplified voice for the real estate sector.”
Simon Carter, President BPF, said: “I am delighted that BPF members have expressed their overwhelming support for the creation of RE:UK. I look forward to working with AREF and IPF over the next few months to turn our shared vision for a new powerful body for the sector into reality.”
Clare Thomas, Chair IPF, said: “On behalf of the IPF board, I would like to thank IPF members for taking the time to consider the proposal and then giving the merger their strong support. This is the culmination of significant work across all three organisations, and we look forward to the launch of RE:UK in 2026 as an important step forward for the real estate industry.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
AREF
Paul Richards, Chief Executive, AREF: [email protected]
David Butcher, MD, Communications and Content: 07834 350101 or [email protected]
BPF
FTI Consulting: [email protected]
Andrew Scorgie M: +44 7738198943
IPF
Sue Forster [email protected]
About the Association of Real Estate Funds
The Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF) is the body that represents the interests of its member funds, those firms that advise and support them, and the end customers that invest in our member funds.
Our membership includes over fifty funds spanning the leading real estate fund management houses in the industry, through to smaller, specialist boutiques, with a collective net asset value of over £50bn. In addition, we have more than fifty affiliate members and several associate members.
We are recognised by policy makers, regulators, tax authorities and other official organisations as the leading spokesperson for real estate funds, so through bringing all stakeholders together we can influence the way our industry evolves.
About the British Property Federation
The British Property Federation is the membership organisation for, and the voice of, the UK real estate industry.
We represent and promote the interests of all those with a stake in real estate in the UK – owners, developers, funders (equity and debt), agents and advisers.
We work with government and regulatory bodies to help the real estate industry grow and thrive, to the benefit of our members and the economy as a whole. Because our membership is industry wide, we can provide government and regulators with the knowledge they need to make decisions.
https://bpf.org.uk/
About the Investment Property Forum
The Investment Property Forum (IPF) has 1,500 individual members drawn from a wide range of different professional organisations including those in accountancy, banking, development, fund management, investment agency, law and valuation.
The IPF’s mission is to enhance the understanding and efficiency of property as an investment, including public, private, debt, equity and synthetic exposure, for its members and other interested parties, including government, by:
1. undertaking research and special projects and ensuring effective communication of this work;
2. providing education; and
3. providing a forum for fellowship, discussion and debate amongst our members and the wider investment community
For further information, visit the IPF website: www.ipf.org.uk