BPF launches tech group led by KPMG real estate head

The British Property Federation (BPF) has launched a technology and innovation group to deliver a new programme for the UK real estate sector. The move comes after the government challenged all sectors of the economy to boost their productivity last year. The group will be led by Andy Pyle (pictured), UK head of real estate at KPMG, and also includes CBRE senior director Nick Wright, Mishcon de Reya partner Susan Freeman, the founder of digital real estate business Liquid Rei, Dan Hughes, and The Digital Marketing Bureau co-founder, James Dearsley. The group’s initial responsibilities will include: creating a proptech library documenting all current and emerging proptech innovation; building a leadership development course with an overview of technologies driving digital innovation; and developing a programme to put early career software developers, engineers, designers and innovators in influential roles in property companies. BPF chief executive Melanie Leech said: “Today the BPF commits itself to provide thought leadership and deliver a practical programme to ensure the real estate sector harnesses the benefits of technology, in line with the government’s ambition for all sectors to better future-proof themselves, innovate and improve productivity and economic growth.” Pyle added: “In our 2018 global proptech survey we found that while nearly all decision makers in the real estate industry agree they need to engage with technology, two-thirds don’t have a clear tech strategy. Therefore it is hugely helpful to have an industry-wide group to help understand how to respond to and capitalise on the opportunities technology creates. As the industry’s representative body, the BPF is perfectly placed to do this and I look forward to leading the group.” The new group has been set up following the publication of a BPF-commissioned report, which shows that there is “significant untapped potential for greater adoption of technology to enhance productivity” in the sector. The report, Lost in translation: How can real estate make the most of the PropTech revolution, was produced by Future Cities Catapult. It is based on a survey of BPF members, interviews and round tables with key real estate and proptech leaders, Stefan Webb, head of digitising planning at Future Cities Catapult, commented: “Digital tools, technologies and business models have transformed sectors from automotive to aerospace, yet the property sector has proven to be resistant to these forces. Many argue that the sector is too diverse, complex and complicated to be disrupted. However, the choice for the sector seems clear: create a clearer vision, better market information and more collaboration between the sector – or wait for someone else to join the dots and create a business that makes the impact of WeWork look relatively benign.” To send feedback, e-mail anna.ward@egi.co.uk or tweet @annaroxelana or @estatesgazette