Simpson hired by £500 million living platform to lead investment

UK: Led by accommodations pioneer Tim Butler, a new living platform has hired Richard Simpson to head its investment division.

Simpson will serve as managing director — investment. Prior, he was CEO at Olympian Homes. At Olympian, Simpson oversaw £700 million in student accommodation and residential pipelines.

He has more than 20 years of experience in student accommodations, residential development and management. Simpson’s past roles include CEO of Watkin Jones and group property director at Unite Group.

Butler is a founder of both Student Roost and UNITE, two UK PBSA developers. His platform is supported by £500 million in funding from Australian pension fund AustralianSuper, delivered last October. The ambitious project aims to become a top five UK rental operator within five years.

Highlights:

• A new living platform backed by £500 million in funding from AustralianSuper has appointed Richard Simpson as managing director of investment.
• Simpson joins from Olympian Homes, where he oversaw a £700 million student accommodation and residential pipeline, and previously served as chief executive of Watkin Jones and group property director at UNITE Group.
• The platform is led by accommodation pioneer Tim Butler, a founder of both Student Roost and UNITE, and aims to become a top five UK rental operator within five years.
• AustralianSuper delivered the funding for the platform in October of last year.