Neelam Saihjpal has joined property specialist Centrick following major client wins to lead its further growth in the booming build to rent sector.
With 20 years’ experience as a property professional, Neelam has been appointed director of build to rent (BTR) at the Birmingham-based business.
Investment in BTR schemes has soared in recent years in cities including Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Southampton, Leicester and Reading. Centrick, which has been investing into BTR technology to deliver best in class client and resident experience, has identified the sector as a target for sustained, measured growth.
During her career Neelam 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, said: “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.
Centrick has grown consistently since its inception by successfully prioritising innovation, expertise, and building trusted relationships with its clients to deliver high quality service and results. First opening its doors in 2005, the agency now has over 20,000 properties across the UK on its books and manages over £3 billion in client assets.
About Centrick
Centrick prides itself on being a company of knowledgeable industry experts with a joined-up approach to all aspects of residential and commercial property. Innovation is at the heart of everything it does, helping it to adapt to the ever-changing market. This is all underpinned with a strong ethical code of trust and family values, where the team works as one to deliver exceptional service.
Specialists across both residential and commercial property sectors, Centrick is forward-thinking and agile; always looking for new ways to work flexibly to meet the needs of its clients, using its strength and depth, across the property sector. By investing in talent, leading the way on industry practices, developing its technology and systems, it delivers an outstanding service to clients. Providing services across the UK, with offices in Birmingham, Solihull, Nottingham, Southampton and London, Centrick’s services include:
- Residential sales
- Residential lettings
- New homes
- Build to Rent – BTR, Student & SFH
- Asset Management
- Insolvency
- Estate Management
- Commercial sales
- Commercial lettings
