2026 Judges

Lizzie, Managing Director, Places and Estates at Notting Hill Genesis, will be joining the expert judging panel this year. With years of experience, including her role as Director of Folio, Notting Hill Genesis’s BTR business, Lizzie brings invaluable expertise to the table.

Her deep understanding of the Build to Rent sector will undoubtedly play a key part in the judging process. We’re excited to see her contribution to the awards.

Amanda, alongside TV’s Phil Spencer and two highly respected co-directors, founded Move iQ to empower consumers on their home-moving journey helping people make well-informed decisions that save both time and money.

With Amanda’s deep industry expertise and passion for consumer empowerment, we know she’ll bring valuable insights to the judging panel.
Welcome aboard, Amanda! We can’t wait to celebrate the very best in Build to Rent with you.

A leading figure in Build to Rent, Russell has shaped the sector through Assael Architecture, extensive US research, and UK design guides. Most notably, he co-authored both editions of the Urban Land Institute’s Build to Rent: A Best Practice Guide, backed by the British Government.

Beyond his work at Assael, Russell has made a significant impact across the industry. He is the former Chair of the Urban Land Institute’s UK Residential Council, an advisor on MHCLG’s Build to Rent Joint Committee, and an active member of the Urban Design Group. Additionally, he leads Assael’s international projects, frequently traveling to Bahrain and beyond.

With his wealth of experience and thorough industry experience, Russell will play a key role in evaluating and recognising excellence in this year’s awards.

With his wealth of experience and thorough industry experience, Russell will play a key role in evaluating and recognising excellence in this year’s awards.

With over 20 years’ experience in the housing sector, Claire brings extensive expertise across both the public and private sectors, including strategic delivery and cross‑sector collaboration. Having worked with Local Authorities, Housing Associations and the GLA, she understands the practical, commercial and governance challenges that shape successful housing programmes.

As Partnerships Director at Potter Raper, Claire has helped clients establish effective delivery models and unlock complex schemes. She also works closely with our teams delivering a wide range of Build to Rent developments, playing a key role in enabling strong, outcome‑driven delivery.

Her deep sector knowledge and expertise continue to shape her long‑standing role on the judging panel and help recognise the very best in BTR.

Her deep sector knowledge and expertise continue to shape her long‑standing role on the judging panel and help recognise the very best in BTR.

Andy has worked in communication for over 25 years helping organisations tell their stories more effectively across a number of sectors including energy, financial services and sustainability.

He has applied his communications skills directly to the UK housing sector for the last five years, establishing the Unlock Net Zero portfolio and awards for Ocean Media Group before joining the Healthy Homes Hub as part of his consultancy portfolio in 2025.

A well-respected leader in the sector, Olaide has over 15 years of experience driving urban regeneration and social impact. She is a recognised expert in balancing commercial imperatives with delivering meaningful change for local communities.

As a leader in fostering growth and strengthening community and investor relations, Olaide’s expertise and insight will be invaluable in recognising excellence within the Build to Rent sector.

A highly respected leader in the living sector, Stephanie brings extensive expertise across residential development, operations, and investment. She has played a pivotal role in shaping the industry, supporting the Association for Rental Living (ARL) through her contributions to the Research & Policy Committee and the Joint ARL and TPI Education Taskforce, serves as Chair of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and has recently been appointed to the ARL Board.

Stephanie’s passion and leadership continue to drive positive change in Build to Rent, and we’re thrilled to have her help recognise excellence in the sector.

Kate is Assistant Director of Policy at the British Property Federation and is part of the residential team, covering Build to Rent, Student Accommodation, Coliving, Affordable, and Older Peoples’ Housing policy. Kate’s background is in public and regulatory law, and as a political and parliamentary advisor.

Ian is Senior Policy and Business Adviser at The Property Institute – the professional body for property managers. He works part-time, as part of a portfolio that also includes Board membership of a housing association, and Chairing the Student Accommodation Codes Tribunal.

Previously, Ian spent 23 years as Director of Policy at the British Property Federation, focused on development and housing policy.

Ian was part of the Montague Review that paved the way for Build-to-Rent. He helped change the law on protecting client money and assists in maintaining standards for student accommodation. He is a Fellow of The Property Institute, and of the RSA. He holds professional qualifications in finance and market research.

Ian’s career started in banking and teaching. He was Head of Policy/Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce. In 2025, Ian was awarded ‘Residential Property Personality of the Year’ by Property Week.

With over 15 years of experience in operations, finance, and management, Grace brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the panel. At Quintain, she oversees the operations of 3,500+ units across eight developments in Wembley Park, leading the teams responsible for customer service, retention, and financial performance.

Grace is also a Committee Member on the ARL's EDI and Operations Committees, further demonstrating her commitment to excellence in the Build to Rent sector.

We’re delighted to have her on board and look forward to her insights in recognising the best in Build to Rent!

Tracey is a chartered surveyor and fellow of The Property Institute who has fulfilled a number of roles across the property sector in her career including client side, managing agent and consultant. Tracey was one of five experts seconded to HCLG to ‘kick-start institutional investment into the private rented sector’ in the 2013.

Now Head of Property Asset Management at The Wellcome Trust, she brings a wealth of experience and contributes at industry level as a member of the BPF Residential Management Committee and RICS UK&I WR Board Member. With extensive expertise in senior leadership, strategy, and operations Tracey is a well-respected leader in the industry.

Katherine joins the panel with extensive experience across development, investment, asset management and operations. Having previously built and led the Build to Rent platform at the John Lewis Partnership, establishing and scaling one of the organisation’s most significant residential initiatives.

Katherine is a strong advocate for the role operational real estate plays in driving long term value, recognising that great resident experience, service and community are fundamental to successful Build to Rent platforms. Her work has consistently focused on aligning operational excellence, customer experience and investment performance to deliver sustainable value.

Katherine contributes to the wider industry through board roles including Dolphin Living, ULI and sector collaboration, supporting best practice and the continued evolution of professionally managed rental housing.

A recognised practitioner and advocate for Build to Rent (BTR), Rental Living and and the wider residential sectors, James brings over 25 years of varied delivery experience to the judging panel.

His personal mission is to help tackle the UK’s housing supply crisis through both policy and practice, recognising that a full tenure spectrum is essential to meeting this challenge. James is a Project Board Member of the BTR Alliance, further solidifying his commitment to shaping the future of the sector.