Matthew joined AREA in 2022 and has over 14 years’ experience in the Alternative Real Estate sectors. Having initially qualified as a Chartered Surveyor (MRICS), into the National Investment department of Colliers International, Matthew has gone on to ascertain extensive ‘bed’ sector experience, working for a number of high profile ‘owner operators’. Most recently as the Head of Build to Rent at Get Living Plc and prior to this as the Investment Manager, at iQ Student Accommodation (iQSA).

Whilst at iQSA, Matthew sources and executed on and off market PBSA transactions in excess of £1 billion across the UK. He was also responsible for identifying and executing multiple accretive capital expenditure initiatives, resulting in significant increases in the estates value. These accretive projects varied from vertical extensions, change of uses, infill development and comprehensive refurbishment and repositioning plans for key strategic assets.

Prior to iQSA, Matthew was at Capital and Counties Plc (‘Capco’). During this time, Matthew led extensive land assembly initiatives at Earls Court, before helping to develop and execute the real estate investment strategy for the operational Exhibition business, culminating in the relocation of all exhibition events and operating businesses from Earls Court to Olympia. Matthew was additionally a key member of the transactional team, leading to the sale of Olympia Exhibition operating business in 2015, to German Institutional Investors BVK.

Within AREA, Matthew is the lead Director for Asset and Investment Management. He has a number of mandates with both Private Equity and UK property companies to identify and execute value add opportunities in the PBSA and BtR sectors.  Working with the AREA team to identify predominantly off-market opportunities, Matthew manages financial modelling, business planning, transaction due diligence and subsequently, the implementation of value-add opportunities.

‍