Ex-Greystar boss targets rental market with new launch

Former Greystar managing director Michela Hancock has left the firm to launch Hilltop Property Partners, a new venture to serve the “chronically under-supplied” UK rental housing market. The new firm has been launched in partnership with Hilltop Capital Partners founder and veteran European real estate entrepreneur Paul Oberschneider. HPP will focus on scaling its new UK platform, offering professionally managed, quality housing for middle-income working households. The company is committed to efficient design and a lighter amenity offering to ensure homes are attainable for residents. Hilltop Property Partners will seek to expand its new platform across Europe. As chief executive, Hancock will be working with investors targeting the growing demand for amenity-light, attainably-priced rental housing that offers quality specifications and excellent customer service for residents. Hilltop Property Partners’ first development is a 425-home build-to-rent scheme in Leeds’ Victoria Riverside district. HPP has selected Greystar as its preferred operating partner. Hancock, said: “We’re at a critical juncture for the UK housing market, where enabling middle-income households to access quality accommodation, and still have headroom within their monthly earnings, is more critical than ever. Our new platform will deliver professionally managed, amenity-light, rental homes with an essential service offering. “We are responding to a real and growing demand from working people and families seeking modern homes at an attainable price point. Hilltop Property Partners is launching with our first development secured, and we look forward to further leveraging our global network and deep sector expertise to capitalise on opportunities across the UK and Europe.” Oberschneider added: “Michela is one of the most respected leaders in the UK living sector and brings a truly unrivalled track record of building teams, pioneering new products and scaling major operational businesses with global capital partners. Our vision of tackling the growing challenges that remain in the housing market comes as more capital is being allocated to living sectors. With a growing pipeline across the UK and Europe, we look forward to scaling this new business over the next decade.”