Ringley appoints senior BTR leader to drive living sector growth and unlock opportunities for house builders

Ringley has strengthened its position over the past year as a fully integrated Living sector operator, with assets under management growing to £12 billion across more than 16,300 homes nationwide.

During his time with the CBRE Residential Development Consultancy team, Harry Downes was one of the early pioneers of the BTR sector when it emerged as an asset class to encourage institutional investment into purpose-built rental housing in the UK around 15 years ago. 

In 2012 he established Fizzy Living, one of the industry’s first specialist professionally managed built-to-rent landlords, creating a new model for providing well located, amenity-focused mid-market accommodation for young professionals. Over the next ten years he led the growth of a portfolio of over 1,000 units across London and the South East.

Following Greystar’s acquisition of Fizzy Living in 2022, he spent over three years leading GreyStar’s BTR Investment platform.

Harry Downes will work alongside Group Chairman Martin Samworth, CEO Richard Williams and Founder and Group Managing Director Mary-Anne Bowring to drive the company’s next phase of growth.

A key area of focus will be to help house builders with unsold, empty stock pivot towards BTR as a solution to provide immediate occupancy and income, while increasing the value of their asset in what remains an uncertain and challenging market.

Harry Downes, Divisional CEO - Multi Family of Ringley Group, said:
“I’m excited to be joining Ringley and can’t wait to get started.  With growing institutional interest, a record year for investment and a clear role to play in supporting the UK’s housing targets, the BTR market is ripe for growth.

“In the current climate house builders are stymied with unsold properties where the options of leaving unoccupied or selling at a considerable loss remain equally unappealing. Going down the third route of pivoting to BTR can seem daunting, but Ringley can bridge that gap with a ready-to-go management system, which is the best in the business, generating immediate stable income and enhancing the asset’s value.”

Martin Samworth, Group Chairman of Ringley Group, added:
“Harry is undoubtedly one of the most well-known names and respected leaders in the BTR sector, and his appointment marks a significant step forward for Ringley. His decision to join us reflects the strength of our data-driven platform, where we are driving a paradigm shift in living management.”

“BTR has a critical role to play in delivering high-quality, professionally managed homes at scale. His expertise and deep relationships in this sector will be an invaluable asset for our business and we’re well set to capitalise on a growing sector.”

Ringley has continued to expand its footprint, recently advising on its 15,000th UK BTR unit and unveiling a refreshed leadership team, brand identity and office presence across Camden Town and the West End.

Founded 30-years ago, Ringley Group has grown into a full service, vertically integrated property and asset management company specialising in the Living sector.  

Ringley Group is the corporate umbrella for a portfolio of 12 companies which harness proprietary technology to deliver a data-driven service across all aspects of operational real estate; asset and property management, leasing, valuation, block management, building surveyors, fire engineers and law – either as integrated or standalone services. 

Ringley’s current portfolio comprises over 16,500 homes across the UK, with £12 billion of assets under management.