Build-to-Rent
Sitting within the Private Rented Sector, Build-to-Rent (BtR) is purpose built residential property created for rent rather than sale. BtR developments are typically owned by institutional investors seeking long-term returns through the provision of fairly priced homes for working people in the UK.
We are aiming to address the need for high-quality rental accommodation priced at a level which is affordable to lower and middle-income earners throughout the UK. This market segment is historically under-served because of structural supply and demand imbalances and a low average quality of properties within the UK, meaning there is now a considerable, suppressed rental demand. Delivering the requirement for new high-quality housing in regional locations is an ongoing focus for both central and regional government.
Income Generation
Our existing build-to-rent portfolio offers investors access to established assets that generate income from the outset
Mainstream regional approach
Our focus on mainstream regional markets maximises our pool of potential residents, embedding a mitigant for void risk
Diversification
Our focus on a mix of property types ensures a diversified base of counterparties that broadly mirror the UK’s housing stock
Sustainability
Sustainability factors are integrated into the selection, evaluation, governance and management processes across the lifecycle of each investment
Build to rent FAQs
Why is BtR important?
BtR is not a new concept, however until recently was relatively unheard of in the UK, compared to countries such as the US and Germany, where this form of rental housing has been around for decades. As homeownership becomes less attainable for many as house prices rise, BtR developments in the UK can offer an attractive housing solution, particularly to young professionals.
According to the British Property Federation, there are now over 260,000 BtR homes completed, under construction or in the planning process in the UK, with around 40% of these in London. Industry experts predict that the BtR sector will continue to expand over the next decade, with estimates suggesting it could be worth as much as £550 billion by 2030. This growth will be driven not only by the continued demand for rental properties, but also by the increasing attractiveness of BtR developments as an investment option for institutional investors seeking long-term stable returns.
How does it work for tenants?
Like the main rental market, tenants pay their rent monthly and Gresham House, as landlord, covers the ground rent, services, and maintenance costs, meaning there are no hidden costs or surprise bills.
BtR housing is often modern and spacious when compared with the private rental market, offering tenants high-spec appliances. Residents can also access a range of services and amenities including communal spaces, a gym and games rooms, all helping to foster a sense of community.
Team
Board
Baerbel Schuett
Non-Executive Director
Baerbel Schuett
Non-Executive Director
Baerbel brings over 30 years of experience across architecture, construction, and development management, with deep expertise in residential delivery and environmental sustainability.
She serves as a Non-Executive Director at East End Homes, a London based housing association, and sits on its Finance & Investment Committee.
Baerbel previously held executive roles as Development & Board Director at Wates Residential and, before that, at Londonewcastle, where she spent 13 years shaping and delivering high-quality residential schemes. Across these roles, she led significant growth through challenging market cycles and built a reputation for navigating complexity with clarity and focus.
She brings deep expertise in joint ventures and partnerships, having served on and advised multiple boards. Her strength lies not just in structuring deals, but in aligning people, strategy, and delivery to make them succeed.
Originally trained as an architect, Baerbel’s career has evolved from design into construction, project leadership, and ultimately strategic development—giving her a rare, end-to-end perspective on the built environment.
She is also the founder of be.haus, a consultancy offering independent, strategic advice to developers and partners seeking clarity, confidence, and results.
Ben Fry
Affordable Housing Fund Director
Ben Fry
Affordable Housing Fund Director
Ben joined Thriving Investments in November 2024 to lead and grow our affordable housing strategies including the existing shared ownership fund Gresham House Thriving Investments Residential Secure Income LP which he launched in 2021, whilst at Gresham House. Ben has been investing in affordable housing since launching Residential Secure Income plc in 2017, prior to which he led TradeRisks’ debt advisory services for housing associations, local authorities, and specialist residential accommodation. Ben has 19 years of experience in housing, local government and infrastructure and qualified as a chartered accountant with Deloitte. He holds a BSc in Mathematics from Imperial College London.
David Orr, CBE
Non-Executive Chairman
David Orr, CBE
Non-Executive Chairman
David is an experienced leader in both executive and non-executive roles. He has over 30 years’ experience in Chief Executive roles, most recently at the National Housing Federation. He is Chair of Clarion Housing Association, is a previous President of Housing Europe and previous Chair of Reall, an international development housing charity. He is also chair of The Good Home Inquiry, co-chair of #Housing 2030, a joint project for Housing Europe and UNECE, and a member of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Housing, Church and Community Commission. David frequently speaks on the challenge of optimistic leadership and the critical importance of governance. He has wide ranging media experience, is a well-regarded commentator and blogger and has extensive expertise navigating the world of politics and government. In June 2018 David was awarded a CBE.
Graham Woolfman
Non-Executive Director
Graham Woolfman
Non-Executive Director
Graham brings a wealth of financial and governance experience to Resi Homes, with a particular focus on the social and affordable housing sector.
Graham joined the Board of Catalyst Housing in September 2017 and became a Board member and Chair of the Group Audit and Risk Committee at Peabody Trust when Catalyst merged with the Peabody Group in April 2022. Peabody is a substantial provider of residential property, development, and community management operations within the social housing sector.
From 2021 to 2025 he was Board Chair of St Arthur Homes Limited ,a for profit, registered provider (FPRP) acquiring, and managing, shared ownership housing, backed by private equity.
Graham has a professional background as a Chartered Accountant with substantial experience in working with companies focussed on growth across a range of sectors, including energy, technology, consumer, and financial services.
Mark Rogers
Executive Director, ReSI Housing & ReSI Homes
Mark Rogers
Executive Director, ReSI Housing & ReSI Homes
Mark is the Executive Director of ReSI Housing and ReSI Homes.
He joined Gresham House in March 2020 following the acquisition of TradeRisks. Before joining ReSI Housing, Mark spent 12 years as a Chief Executive of Circle Housing Group, a 65,000-unit housing association, before merging it into the Clarion Group, the largest housing association in the UK. Prior to that, Mark held Chief Executive roles at Anglia Housing Group and Nene Housing Society.
He has 38 years’ social housing experience and has been a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing since 1986.
Insights
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