Brian Welsh has over 14 years’ experience in the student accommodation and private rental sector markets. He has been responsible for the development and management of over 50,000 beds globally. Brian assumed the role of CEO of Nido Student in October 2017. Within this time, he has overseen the expansion of the portfolio from 2,000 to a pipeline of over 20,000 beds. Prior to joining Nido, Brian was Head of Operational Management at Liberty Living plc and then assumed the role of COO of Threesixty Developments and The Student Housing Company, where he oversaw the acquisition and delivery of over 17,100 beds across Europe, breaking into new PRS markets which have since become established, in particular Ireland and Spain.

Ken co-founded VBI Real Estate in 2006 and has been involved in all of VBI Real Estate’s investments since inception. Prior to the formation of VBI Real Estate, Ken was a founding partner of Vision Brazil and was responsible for establishing the real estateprivate equity practice. At Vision Brazil, Ken was responsible for investment origination, transaction structuring, and portfolio management for investment funds with an AUM of U.S.$2 billion. Ken’s professional experience has included twenty years of investmentmanagement and M&A advisory work based in New York and São Paulo. Ken received a B.A. from Harvard College and an M.B.A. from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Founder and CEO of BONARD and has over 20 years’ experience advising real estate investors, funds, developers and operators. Since 2007, under his leadership, his staff of 50 researchers and analysts operating in four offices around the world have been providing the highest level of secondary and primary in-field data, making BONARD a leading provider of independent and reliable research and solutions. Samuel, an individual member of the world's leading professional research association ESOMAR, is a frequent speaker at the major global real estate stages, attending dozens of conferences a year and sharing latest insights backed by his long-term industry experience

Chanakya (Chan) Chakravarti is the MD for India, responsible for implementing in his territory, the investment and asset-management strategies outlined in Ivanhoé Cambridge’s annual business plan and strategic plan. He works closely with the Growth Markets team and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to put in place and consolidate strategic partnerships for major projects in India. Mr. Chakravarti is a seasoned manager with more than 27 years of experience, including over 20 years in real estate, investment and development. Before joining Ivanhoé Cambridge in 2018, he was Managing Director, Global Alternatives, Asia, at J.P. Morgan Chase. Chan has previously held country management roles at Actis Capital and C&W.

As founder and CEO of The Student Hotel (TSH), MacGregor has reimagined the concept of ‘luxury’ city centre accommodation for an expanding customer base of internationally-minded students, entrepreneurs and travellers who seek more than the anonymity of a box room in a building that sits in grand isolation from the community that surrounds it.

Craig co-founded Scape Australia in 2013. After a partnership at Minter Ellison Legal, he became General Counsel of Consolidated Press Holdings. Craig then made the move to the investment world, first as CEO of Arctic Capital and then as co-founder of Telopea Capital Partners. After seeing the importance and potential of student living, Craig took on the role of Executive Chairman at PAD Student Living, co-founding Scape Australia soon after. Craig is responsible for Scape Australia’s legal, compliance and investor relations.

Douglas Edwards is Managing Director and Head of Group Equity Raising & Client Services at Corestate Capital Group. He has 35 years of experience in international real estate, with a key focus on European markets. Douglas also has proven investment & asset management credentials, with a solid background in structuring debt and equity products for real estate investors. Additionally, Douglas has a deep understanding of sourcing & closing strategies and a strong international institutional sales network. Before he joined Corestate he was Managing Director and Head of Institutional Business International at KGAL Capital and Managing Director and Head of International Clients at Corpus Sireo.

Filipe, who is based in Frankfurt, brings 15 years of experience in real estate development, investment management and design. He will be responsible for leading AXA IM Alts’ development activity across Germany, as well as further expanding the business and strengthening AXA IM Alts’ network of partners. Prior to joining AXA IM Alts, Filipe spent nearly five years at MPC Capital, where he held various senior roles including Head of Acquisitions and Development for Micro-Living and Real Estate Investment Director. He also previously held the role of Acquisitions & Development Manager at DC Developments.

Freddie Wonnacott serves as Director of Fund Management at M&G Real Estate UK, where he oversees investment strategies and portfolio management for institutional real estate funds. With extensive experience in property investment and fund management, he plays a key role in M&G's real estate operations, focusing on delivering strong returns for institutional investors. His expertise spans across various property sectors and investment strategies, contributing to M&G Real Estate's position as a leading real estate investment manager in the UK market.

Harald Hübl is Managing Director of greenturtle gmbh working with developers & HNWIs in real estate, energy, and start ups. Prior to that, he acted as Investment Director for value one group, a European developer, operator where he expanded the student housing platform in a JV with TIAA/nuveen. Before that he headed Corporate Finance and Real Estate Finance at Bawag PSK (a Cerberus owned bank in Austria). He spent nearly ten years in London at GE Capital as leader in European Healthcare Leveraged & Real Estate Finance, M & A and infrastructure investment.

Eri is a recognised expert in the development and management of high quality student accommodation schemes, with over 12 years of senior experience in the sector, and has worked on over 500 student accommodation projects.

Growing our footprint in the PBSA sector in Spain and beyond.

James Halstead, Managing Director, is BlackRock’s Chief Investment Officer for European Value-Add Real Estate. He is responsible for investment strategy, originating and managing value add and opportunistic real estate investments across the region. He is a member of the European Real Estate Investment Committee and has invested in over $2bn of transactions at BlackRock across three European Value-Add funds.

Jeffrey holds a Degree in Civil and Structural Engineering and more than 20 years’ experience in Management and Business Development in the Real Estate area. In 2018 he joined Urbania International as CEO of Syllâbus, Urbania subsidary, leading the company’s operations as well as strategy, investment advisory and structuring. Syllâbus is a Property Development Company specialised in the delivery of prime Student Accommodation. Nowadays, he is also Proffesor at IE School of Architecture and Design. Prior to Syllâbus, Jeffrey held a position as Vice-President and Managing Director at Hill International and he was Development Director of Shopping Centre Specialist at Sonae Sierra.

He has been both an Investor and Developer of residential and mixed-used projects across Latin America and the South Eastern US. While working in Latin America, Josef identified a significant regional housing deficit, which he saw as a great opportunity to create value by investing in the residential development space; therefore, in 2005 he co-founded Peninsula with Mauricio Levitin. At Peninsula, Josef is responsible for overseeing investments, portfolio allocation in Mexico, Panama and Colombia, and managing investor relations. He is a member of the Investment Committee of the different funds of the firm.

With over 20 years of University Public Private Partnerships Transaction and Development Experience, Julie has focused her career on creating dynamic mixed-use environments driven by institutional objectives. - Delivered over $5 Billion in mixed-use campus communities - Oversees $2 Billion Development Pipeline - Focused on structuring complex multi-phased student life developments for colleges and universities - Expertise in building and managing large planning, design, construction, finance and operations teams - Structures innovative project financing and implementation strategies - Regular speaker, moderator, subject-matter expert for industry organization, conferences and publications.

Laura Brinkmann is a Senior Vice President at KSL Capital Partners in London, a leading alternative investment firm specializing in travel and leisure. She brings extensive expertise in hospitality investment management, private equity, and hotel asset management. Prior to KSL, Laura served as a Vice President at Brookfield Asset Management, where she was responsible for portfolio management of European hospitality investments. Her career also includes over a decade in M&A and asset management functions at Marriott International, IHG plc, and Deloitte LLP across EMEA. Recognized as one of the "20 Influential Women in Hospitality" in 2021, Laura holds a Bachelor of International Business in Hospitality and Tourism Management and specialized training from Cornell University in Hotel Real Estate Investments. She is dedicated to creating value and mentoring emerging real estate investment professionals.

Responsible for sourcing, negotiating, executing, managing and ultimately also disposing European private real estate investments including residential, student housing, retail, offices and hotels in amongst others the Netherlands, the UK, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. Currently managing more than € 1.2 billion equity in Pan-European student housing, Dublin residential development and Iberian shopping centres. In my capacity as a representative of APG, I sit on various boards, investment committees and advisory committees of the portfolio investments.

Michael Hales serves as President of CA Student Living. He manages the investment, development and operational strategy for CA’s North American student housing division. Hales drives the platform’s investment strategy, utilizing its unique range of student-specific investment vehicles including core, opportunistic, acquisition, value-add and public-private partnerships. Michael provides the vision and direction for CA Student Living’s growth through the creation and execution of a robust pipeline of investment and development opportunities in strategic, top-tier university markets across the United States.

Nick is a director and founder of Woburn Capital. Nick led the FTSE 250 GCP Student Living Plc for 6 years to its exit in 2021. In addition to being the fund manager he was a shareholder, EXCO and IC member of Gravis. Prior to this, Nick was Head of Alternatives for Schroders Real Estate and a member of the fund management team for the Schroders Capital UK Real Estate Fund. Nick also worked at Cushman & Wakefield and JLL and has over twenty years investment experience. Nick is a qualified chartered surveyor.

Nick heads up the Groups property business and is responsible for all aspects of Unite's real estate activities including property development, asset management and investment. He joined Unite in 2007 and has held a number of roles within the business. Nick sits on the Unite Students Executive Committee and is also a member of the BPF Student Accommodation Committee.

Nimesh has over 24 years, experience in successful investing across multiple asset classes. He has extensive experience in working closely with founders and other shareholders in growing companies, setting up teams and delivering results to all stakeholders like clients, shareholders, etc. He has worked in marquee organizations like IDFC Alternatives, Citi Property Investors and UBS Global Real Estate in senior roles. At IDFC Alternatives he was one of the early investors in India to identify the opportunity of investing in income producing office assets, he also ideated the opportunity to create an independent student housing company.

Nitin has over 25 years of rounded investment experience spanning private equity, private debt, capital markets and M&A. From 2013-2022, Nitin was Head of Direct Investments at L1 Treasury, responsible for all private equity, private debt and special situations investments within L1 Treasury. From 2013 -2019, Nitin was also a Partner in Pamploma Capital Management responsible for private debt and special situations in the credit opportunities fund. Prior to that, Nitin led the European Real Estate and Principal Finance businesses of Nomura and Bear Stearns. Nitin started his career at SG Warburg & Co (now part of UBS) in M&A.

Paul is currently CEO of Curlew. He has over 40 years’ experience in development and investment management in both the UK and Europe. He has been at the forefront of the establishment of unlisted property funds since 1991. He spent the 1980′s leading development teams on predominantly shopping centre schemes, following which, he moved to head up Dusco alongside Chairman Dik Dusseldorp, founder of Lend Lease plc. Paul then established Equity Partnerships promoting and managing collective investment schemes, which merged with the Teesland Group in 2000. In 2002 he launched Teesland plc on the London Stock Exchange, building funds under management to €6.5 billion before sale to Valad in June 2007.

Russell Petrie serves as the Head of Student at EQT Real Estate in London, driving the firm's strategic expansion within the European student housing sector. He was instrumental in EQT's acquisition of a significant portfolio of purpose-built student accommodation assets in the UK, notably growing the firm's European student bed count to over 7,500. Russell's approach emphasizes securing assets in undersupplied markets and prioritizing an exceptional tenant experience to foster environments where students can thrive. His role is central to EQT's thematic investment strategy in direct-to-consumer real estate solutions.

Sean is a Partner and Co-Founder of Jackson Dearborn Partners. His primary areas of focus in The Student Housing sector include fundraising, investor relations, and marketing. Sean has over 20 years of experience including the last 16 as a real estate broker and principal participating in well over $1 billion in real estate transactions. Sean started his real estate career with Marcus & Millichap in 2003, eventually founding his own brokerage company, Triad Real Estate Partners, in 2010. Moving to the principal side, Sean went on to found JDP where he utilizes creative marketing and an extensive network to build a portfolio of real estate and relationships within the Student Housing space across The United States.

Over 10 years real estate investment, private equity and investment banking experience in Australia, Europe and the Middle East. Extensive expertise in investing in hard asset backed and operational real estate, acquisitions, developments and disposals, private and public M&A, restructuring, work out, capital raising and investment structuring in public and private markets. Experience in a broad range of sectors including student accommodation, residential, education, healthcare, leisure & hospitality and core / social infrastructure. Over the last five years Stephen has been focused on the global student accommodation sector with particular focus on the Asia Pacific.

Tom joined Hines in 2017 to lead the living operations team. Tom has over eight years’ experience in the sector and has previously held senior management roles with international operators such as Greystar and iQ Student, managing large portfolios across the UK with a focus on operational excellence.  In 2019 Tom was appointed Managing Director, with overall responsibility for all Hines Living operations in Europe. 

Varun Singh is a Director in Allianz Real Estate Asia Pacific and heads the India & Southeast Asia business. Prior to joining Allianz in 2019, Varun was leading Singapore real estate acquisitions for JPMAM. He was directly involved with and led investments in Singapore across all sectors for JPMAM’s flagship Strategic Property Fund Asia, an open-ended core fund focused on Asia Pacific gateway cities. Previously, Varun spent 9 years investing in Indian real estate market focused on equity and debt investment opportunities. Varun graduated from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, and received his MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.

Since 2018, Xavier Scheibli is Portfolio Director at GSA, based out of Frankfurt. He has more than 17 years of experience in multiple RE sectors, both on the equity & debt sides. In his current role, he’s responsible for managing portfolios of PBSA assets in Germany & UK, maintaining a close relationship with all players in the capital stack. Prior to GSA, Xavier was a Director at LNR/Hatfield Philips, leading NPL underwriting activities in Continental Europe & the firm’s co-investment opportunities. Before joining LNR in 2013, Xavier served as VP at Hudson Advisors & held posts in the RE division of UBS Wealth Mgt, where he was involved in fund structuring, acquisitions & distributions to high net worth individuals & inst. investors.

Founder and CEO of BONARD and has over 20 years’ experience advising real estate investors, funds, developers and operators. Since 2007, under his leadership, his staff of 50 researchers and analysts operating in four offices around the world have been providing the highest level of secondary and primary in-field data, making BONARD a leading provider of independent and reliable research and solutions. Samuel, an individual member of the world's leading professional research association ESOMAR, is a frequent speaker at the major global real estate stages, attending dozens of conferences a year and sharing latest insights backed by his long-term industry experience