Real estate association merger paves way for RE:UK

A new unified representative body for the UK real estate sector, Real Estate:UK (RE:UK), will launch on 1 January 2026 following strong member support from three leading trade organisations.

Members of the Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF), the British Property Federation (BPF), and the Investment Property Forum (IPF) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the merger. The vote results showed unanimous support from AREF members, 99.5% approval from BPF, and 92% from IPF.

The new organisation aims to act as a single voice for the entire real estate industry, bringing together institutional and private investors, property companies, developers, asset owners, managers, and advisers. RE:UK's remit will focus on six core areas: advocacy; research and data; thought leadership and innovation; networking and events; upskilling and training; and standards and guidance.

Over the coming months, the chairs of AREF, BPF, and IPF will collaborate to appoint a chairperson and chief executive to lead RE:UK through its inaugural phase. The year 2026 will serve as a transitional period during which members will hold dual memberships in both RE:UK and their existing organisations, with full integration expected thereafter.

Commenting on the outcome, Anne Breen, Chair of AREF, described the vote as a "strong endorsement of our vision for a single, amplified voice for the real estate sector."

Simon Carter, President of the BPF, also welcomed the result, stating: "I look forward to working with AREF and IPF over the next few months to turn our shared vision for a new powerful body for the sector into reality."

Clare Thomas, Chair of the IPF, highlighted the extensive work behind the proposal, noting: "This is the culmination of significant work across all three organisations, and we look forward to the launch of RE:UK in 2026 as an important step forward for the real estate industry."

The formation of RE:UK represents a significant structural change for the sector, aiming to consolidate resources and increase influence in policy discussions, industry standards, and market development.