29 January 2026

Guest Blog:  David Martin, Co-Founder, Be Known

Almost 300 industry leaders filled The Savoy Ballroom last week as we kicked off our 30th Anniversary Year with a sold-out Property Breakfast Forum on 'UK Real Estate – The Year Ahead: 2026'.

Following a buzzing networking session (including our new for 2026 Early Bird networking from 7.30am), the formalities opened with a look back at 30 years of Movers & Shakers, led by @Leigh Natasha Salter, and followed by a few words and thank you's from our founder and chairman, @David Jennings. A fitting start to a landmark year.

The keynote Market Insights Presentation from Jennet Siebrits, Head of Research at Ringley Group, set the tone. Using her first flat purchase in 1996 as a reference point, Jennet drew a compelling comparison between the last recovery cycle and where the market stands today. Her message was clear. 1996 marked a turning point, and there is cautious hope that 2026 could do the same.

Key takeaways included the reality that the new-build premium is far lower than many assume; West End office rents have outperformed the City; and logistics remains the strongest sector, although it is increasingly competing with data centres for land. The living sector continues to dominate investor preference, with 85 percent citing it as their favoured asset class, while 90 percent of investors plan to increase UK real estate exposure this year.

There was also realism. 2025 was described by Jennet as a year of wasted potential. Uncertainty, now the norm, continues to weigh on delivery. The availability of access to power infrastructure alone is delaying some projects by up to a decade. Yet falling inflation, improving sentiment and productivity gains from AI offered reasons for renewed momentum.

The panel discussion that followed (chaired by Imogen Thompson, Executive Director, Urban Land Institute) explored what comes next, with a sharp focus on delivery, leadership, and long-term value. 

Panellists included:

Cllr Grace Williams, Leader, Waltham Forest Borough Council and Deputy Chair for Housing and Regeneration, London Councils
Tom Oliver, Director of Investment Strategy and Commercial, Peabody
Jason Longhurst, UK Head of Sustainable Investment and Partnerships, Prologis UK
Duncan Cumberland, Director of Development Management, Muse
Claire Outram, Vice President, Asset Management, Brookfield Properties

Discussion ranged from the strong pipeline of approved schemes in the City, to the challenge of ensuring they are right for future market needs. Optimism is returning, but it remains tempered. Political leadership that can articulate a hopeful, long-term vision was seen as critical, particularly as 2026 shapes up to be a key test year for housing policy.

Public and private sector collaboration emerged as a central theme. Strong partnerships were highlighted as catalysts for regeneration, requiring pragmatism, compromise, and a willingness to prioritise long-term value over short-term gains. Repurposing lower-quality office stock also presents a major opportunity as occupier expectations continue to rise.

Geopolitics and public sector financial pressures add further complexity, reinforcing the need for long-term decision-making that can withstand global volatility. It was suggested that the global market is so chaotic it is hard to know what is and isn’t having an impact. Which all means there is a need to make long term decisions that take geopolitical chaos out of the equation. 

A thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation. Exactly the tone we have been known for over the last three decades.

Thanks to our sponsors: Brookfield Properties, The Ringley Group and Muse

If you were one of the 290 industry decision makers in the room, we hope you enjoyed it.

Creating connections. Generating opportunities.