RESI 2012 generated debate in building UK residential property market

Broadcaster Sarah Montague and Property Week editor Giles Barry hosted RESI 2012, in which planning, localism and funding remained key themes

RESI 2012 was hailed a success yet again and further embedded itself as the UK’s leading conference for the residential property and house-building community. Taking place at Celtic Manor, Newport, from 13 to 14 September, the sell-out event attracted more than 1000 delegates from across the residential property sector. Speakers also represented the audience who came from leading house-builders, investors, landowners, consultants, as well as the Government.

The conference, generated much debate, conversation and opportunities for the industry to connect. Giles Barry, editor-in-chief at Property Week, introduced the conference and key speakers who included Stephen Stone, chief executive at Crest Nicholson and Steve Morgan, chairman at Redrow.

Other key speakers were Andrew Cunningham, chief executive at Grainger, Tony Pidgley, chairman, The Berkeley Group and Liz Peace, chief executive at British Property Federation.

Panel discussions were facilitated enthusiastically by broadcaster Sarah Montague and included the available options for funding and the industry response to the review into institutional barriers in PRS. The need to free up finance and improve planning processes to get the market moving remained key themes throughout the discussions.

The biggest barriers to Getting Britain Building were hotly debated by Stephen Stone, Chief Executive, Crest Nicholson, Steve Morgan, chairman and Redrow David Van Gelder, founding director, Exemplar. They argued their points alongside John Hoad, head of planning, Campaign to Protect Rural England, Simon Marsh, head of planning policy, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Richard Blakeway, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Land and Property, Greater London Authority

The panel emphasised the need for tax breaks, changing stamp duty, removing politics from planning and the need for public investment as key solutions to get the sector moving.

Break out Sessions

Nine break out sessions took place throughout the first day of RESI covering subjects such as the Green Deal, sustainability, mixed use, new models of affordable housing and delivering housing with local authorities.

Roundtables

A series of invite only roundtables were also hosted by sponsors, including JJ Homes and Dexter Moren Associates, to further discuss key issues facing the sector and identify alternative solutions across the sector.

RESI Village

The new RESI Village provided space for the Hospitality Lounge, Gold Sponsors Lounge and RESI café, which was supported by a small hand-picked selection of exhibitors including EC Harris, CBRE and Mace, as well as a pre-event drinks reception hosted by Dorchester Group.

One exhibitor, Shaun Harris, MD at Harris Associates said: "Coming to RESI has been an incredibly valuable experience over the years. This is the fifth year we've come to RESI and the second year we've had a stand. The RESI Village this year has been fantastic - the set up is very conducive to people talking and networking."

Case studies

Topical developments were presented throughout the two days, provided insight and inspiration for the delegates. They included Grosvenor’s presentation on NEO Bankside and a look at the East Village residential property after the Olympics by First Base and Qatari Diar Delancey.

RESI’s Next Big Thing

An enthusiastic return by judges who interrogated and then selected the best product/idea to help improve the residential property market. The judges, Bruce Ritchie, CEO at Residential Land, Nick Candy, CEO at Candy & Candy, John Hitchcox, chair at Yoo and Harry Handelsman, CEO, Manahattan Loft Corp. selected Henry Yates as the winner who created has www.estatecreate.com, a cost effective sales brochure acting as a standalone microsite to promote new developments and new homes.

Dinner

The annual RESI dinner completed day one and provided ample opportunity to discuss the day’s events, share ideas and network. The winner of RESI’s Next Big Thing was also announced to the 800 plus diners.

One delegate’s comment on the conference summed up the event - Tony Berridge, founder at BKR said: “RESI is not only a fantastic place to meet new and existing clients, but it also offers tremendous networking opportunities, which is why I've come back this year.  I've found this year's keynote presentations to be very informative and well put together. Overall, a great event for the industry.”

“Grosvenor is a Platinum Sponsor for the second year running at RESI and we keep coming back due to the depth of the conference programme and the excellent quality of delegates attending.”

“Our experience as a Platinum Sponsor at this year’s RESI has again been fantastic. The staff at both RESI and the Celtic Manor have been faultless, setting things up before we arrived and helping us with any last minute requirements. The organising team have also listened and acted to make all of the suggested improvements we identified from last year A great event again.”
Chrissy Dawson, Marketing Manager, Grosvenor Britain & Ireland

“I’ve found the debates really interesting – today has been really valuable in helping to fully understand the key issues facing this industry from the key players. It’s my first time at RESI, but I’m planning to return next year.”
Jason Bushby, head of estate agency and lettings sales, Rightmove

"Coming to RESI has been an incredibly valuable experience over the years. This is the fifth year we've come to RESI and the second year we've had a stand.”

RESI Connect has worked particularly well for us as we've been able to touch base with new delegates and existing clients. The RESI Village this year has also been fantastic - the set up is very conducive to people talking and networking."
Shaun Harris MRICS, MD, Harris Associates

"RESI is not only a fantastic place to meet new and existing clients, but it also offers tremendous networking opportunities, which is why I've come back this year.  I've found this year's keynote presentations to be very informative and well put together. Overall, a great event for the industry.”
Toby Berridge, Founder , BKR