Nicola takes on ARL chair

A prominent figure in the region's property sector has been appointed chair of the Association for Rental Living’s Midlands Hub. 

Nicola Fleet-Milne is founder and chief executive of residential sales and lettings consultancy FleetMilne, and is chair of Colmore BID. She has served on the Midlands Hub board of ARL since 2023 and takes the helm from Rebecca Taylor of Long Harbour, who will remain on the board. Tom Grey of Global Apartment Advisors will serve as vice chair.

ARL – formerly the UK Apartment Association – represents more than 330 investors, funders, developers and operators in the UK’s booming Build to Rent sector, and it aims to promote purpose-built rental living, best practice, knowledge and data sharing as the sector continues to mature.

ARL’s Midlands Hub brings together stakeholders from BTR, multi- and single-family rental, co-living and later living sectors across the region. The Hub advocates for the rental living sector in the region and runs a range of events.

Nicola said: “The BTR sector has transformed the residential landscape, providing high-quality rental homes in response to the country’s housing need. The sector started life by delivering city centre apartments for rent, but has morphed to encompass other living models, including multi-family, single-family, co-living and later living. 

“Rental homes will form an increasing proportion of residential options in the UK, with the BTR sector on track to be worth £170bn by 2032. Birmingham’s BTR offer is relatively embryonic but is rapidly evolving. There are 15 schemes in operation, with more than 20,000 units in the pipeline. Investors and developers are now extending their reach to the suburbs and around the wider region. It’s an exciting time for BTR in the Midlands and I’m thrilled to represent the sector as chair of ARL’s Midlands Hub.”

Brendan Geraghty, chief executive officer of ARL, said: “It is excellent news that Nicola will be leading the Midlands Hub; the sector’s rapid development is the ideal time to be embedding best practice, including a crucial focus on customers and their rental experience.

"There is also much to be done in terms of growing the understanding of Build to Rent’s role as an anchor tenant in regional regeneration and working with everyone from local authorities to investors. The ARL is grateful to Rebecca Taylor for her excellent leadership of the Midlands Hub thus far and to Nicola for now taking up the mantle.”