AREF x Yardi Report and Webinar
UK real estate fund managers are operating in a rapidly changing environment, shaped by market repricing, rising costs, tighter regulation and increasing expectations around transparency and reporting.
This AREF x Yardi research paper explores how data, technology and AI are being used across the sector to respond to these pressures, drawing on interviews and survey responses from leading fund managers, COOs, CFOs and data strategists.
The report explores:
- Why data fragmentation remains a key challenge for many fund managers
- How technology is increasingly viewed as a strategic enabler, not just a support function
- Where AI is delivering practical impact, particularly in automating manual processes
- How evolving investor expectations are influencing operating models and reporting standards
Research methodology
- In-depth interviews with senior leaders from 10 UK-based real estate investment firms
- Firms representing over 40% of AREF’s fund membership
- A targeted industry survey of executive- and senior-management respondents from a further 14 fund and investment management organisations
Together, this provides a robust and representative view of how UK fund managers are adapting to ongoing market and operational change.
Download the report
Companion Webinar | Tuesday 03 February 2026 | 10.00am–11.00am
To accompany the publication of the research paper, AREF and Yardi hosted a webinar exploring the findings and discussing how these themes are playing out in practice across real estate investment management.
Webinar overview
- Introduction from Ed Protheroe (AREF)
- Presentation of key research findings by Matt Glenny (Yardi)
- Panel discussion on practical approaches to data management, reporting and investor transparency
- Discussion of opportunities and challenges around AI and automation
- Live Q&A focused on real-world use cases and priorities
Panellists also reflected on the importance of governance, organisational readiness and incremental change when modernising data and technology platforms.
Speakers
Moderator
Sammy Pahal, Director, UK Proptech Association
Panellists
- Matt Glenny, Director – Commercial & Investment Management, Yardi
- Christopher Woodley, Head of Performance & Data Management, Savills Investment Management
- Stephen Walker, Head of AI & Technology, Real Estate & Alternative Investments, Aberdeen Investments
- Emma Long, Head of Business Strategy, LGIM Real Assets
Event resources
Presentation Slides
Download the slides by clicking here, or on the image below:
Watch the webinar recording (members only)
AREF members can access the full webinar recording here or by clicking the image below.
