The Association for Rental Living has appointed new leadership for its London and South East Hub as the membership body looks to build on two years of rapid regional expansion.
Tom Lord (main picture, left), Senior Director of Operations at Greystar, will serve as Co-Chair alongside Matt Halfpenny (main picture, right), Co-founder of Residential Living Recruitment.
The appointments follow what the organisation describes as a successful first phase for the Hub, which launched in autumn 2023 as part of a regionally focused growth strategy aimed at strengthening engagement across the institutionally backed, professionally managed rental living sector.
Over the past two years, the London and South East Hub has focused on raising the sector’s profile, increasing engagement with local councils and hosting study tours in London and Brighton, as well as member events addressing operational and talent challenges.
UNIQUE CHALLENGES
Brendan Geraghty, CEO of the Association for Rental Living, says: “The Association for Rental Living is grateful to our outgoing Chair, Sam Smith, and Vice Chair, Karen Standing, for their outstanding leadership of the London and South East Hub since its inauguration.
“The Hub has evolved at pace, and their drive and vision has been invaluable in establishing it as a key means of delivering the ARL’s strategic objectives in the region.
“We are delighted to welcome Tom and Matt to their new roles in the Hub, leading its ongoing work promoting collaboration and addressing the unique challenges and opportunities facing the residential living sector in London and the wider South East.”
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Lord adds: “The London and South East Hub has become an essential platform for sharing insight, building networks, and advancing best practice across the rental living sector.
“At a time when housing challenges are intensifying, the group’s role in fostering collaboration and championing high-quality, professionally managed homes has never been more important.
“I’m looking forward to working with peers across the region to build on the strong foundations already in place. Our strategy for the hub this year is to build a strong community for Next Gen operators, we are very excited to engage this group and support their growth.”
Halfpenny says: “I’m delighted to take up the role of Co-chair for the London and SE Hub. I was really pleased with some of the events we were able to put on last year, including a very successful round-table event on careers and talent development in the residential rental sectors.
“I look forward to working with Tom Lord and my fellow London and SE Hub members to drive the sector even further forward in 2026.”
