Built environment consultancy Ridge has appointed Andrew Stanford, former head of the government’s private rented sector (PRS) taskforce, to establish and lead a new living sector transactions and strategic advisory offer.
Stanford, who has more than 30 years’ experience across residential investment, capital markets, asset management, government policy and consultancy, joins Ridge as a partner in its London-based property consultancy team.
During his career, he has held senior living sector positions at Deloitte, Colliers and LaSalle Investment Management and in 2013, he was appointed to lead the government’s PRS taskforce.
In his new role, Stanford will advise investors, developers, housing providers and other organisations on investment strategy, transactions, portfolio performance and the long-term management and optimisation of residential assets. His work will span build-to-rent, purpose-built student accommodation, co-living, senior living and affordable housing.
Stanford said: “Ridge has an unusually broad range of technical expertise, which creates an opportunity to give investors, developers and asset owners a more complete view of the decisions they are making. Clients want confidence that investment strategies, building performance and technical risks are being considered together. That might mean assessing an acquisition, improving the performance of an existing portfolio, addressing building safety requirements or determining where further investment will create the greatest long-term value.
“While the fundamentals supporting housing demand are still strong, the challenge now is creating the confidence and conditions needed to attract investment and unlock development, while also ensuring that existing assets continue to perform. I am looking forward to combining my experience of investment and asset management with Ridge’s technical expertise to help clients navigate those decisions.”
Mark Astbury, property consultancy lead at Ridge, added: “Andrew is one of the UK’s most experienced living sector advisers. He understands the sector from the perspectives of government, investors, developers, housing providers and asset owners, and has been closely involved in the evolution of the institutional residential market. His appointment represents a significant development of Ridge’s property consultancy offer.
“By bringing investment and transactional expertise together with our established technical and delivery capabilities, we can advise clients from the earliest strategic decisions through to the performance and management of completed assets. We are delighted to welcome Andrew to Ridge and believe his experience will be invaluable to clients as they respond to a changing regulatory and operational environment.”
