Our people
A bench, not a brochure.
Named specialists who have each run the thing they now advise on. Named, because anonymous “associate networks” are how firms avoid saying who will actually do the work.
The team
- Dan Smith — Founder & Managing Director. Nearly ten years in student accommodation operations before founding the practice. Works with every client to oversee performance. Founding team member of VerbaFlo and co-host of HOUSED.
- Ross Halliday — Operations. Mobilised and operated dozens of properties for one of the UK’s largest student accommodation operators.
- Ian Dodd — ESG. Leads ESG strategy, certification and reporting across the practice, with a consultancy background at PwC. Also writes purpose-built student accommodation needs analyses for councils and market reports across the residential living sectors.
- Sarah Nelson — Operations. An operational background across residential living, advising on how buildings actually run day to day.
- Philippe Cumia — Universities & operations. Works with university clients and on operational strategy, with particular depth in France alongside pan-European and North American markets.
- Sarah Canning & Deenie Lee — Marketing. Experts in marketing residential real estate. Running The Property Marketing Strategists, they partner with us on marketing projects and co-host HOUSED.
Beyond the core
Behind the named bench sits a wider network of associate consultants and partner consultancies across fourteen countries, brought in by scope rather than kept on a payroll. It is how a practice this size covers this much ground — and why we can say no to work that is not a fit.
Where we work
Fourteen countries, one bench.
We work with a bench of associate consultants and consultancies globally, which is how a practice this size covers this much ground. Where we do not have direct experience, we say so.
Free first conversation
Tell us what is not working.
Most people arrive with a scheme that is not performing, an operator they cannot read, or a board paper due Friday. Any of those is a fine place to start. Thirty minutes, no proposal attached.