Centrick has appointed Neelam Saihjpal as its new director of build to rent.
With 20 years’ experience as a property professional, Saihjpal has mobilised and managed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) schemes across most of the UK.
In 2009, she joined Watkin Jones Construction and worked on launching student facing management platform Fresh Student Living.
Since then she has worked in senior operational roles at CRM Students, a leading PBSA provider, becoming client management director in 2021. In that role she was responsible for the operations across 40,000 beds.
She said: “It’s an exciting time to join Centrick and the build to rent sector, with the demand for high quality accommodation continuing to increase. Despite the BTR market growing, demand continues to outweigh supply, so we expect to see a lot more development activity in the sector.
“I am looking forward to driving our strategic growth alongside the team here at Centrick.”
She added: “Centrick has been delivering solutions and services for BTR clients for many years and has successfully managed a number of BTR sites.
“Crucially, we’re not just advising clients, we’re operational experts at every stage, letting and managing these developments with a strong focus on community engagement.
“It is a fast-growing sector and there is a huge amount of investment going into it. We are therefore excited about what the future has in store as we take our service up to the next level.”
James Ackrill, founder of Centrick, added: “It is wonderful to welcome Neelam to our build to rent team and I know she will prove to be a major asset in driving our strategy to gain a greater foothold in the exciting build to rent sector.”
Centrick’s BTR and residential asset management team successfully advised on, marketed and managed one of the first BTR schemes outside London.
By undertaking a full analysis of the market, researching local demographics and the level of supply and demand for a BTR development, it provides tailored advice, connections and assistance from initial concept into operation and beyond.
It also offers assistance and consultation throughout the development process, as well as pre-launch advice, research and forecasting.
Following launch with a full marketing campaign, Centrick carries out a post-completion review and analysis, with ongoing bespoke reporting utilising cutting edge technology.
