Moorfield Group, the UK-focussed real estate investment manager, has appointed Matthew Smith to become Head of Operational Asset Management later this year, when Heiko Figge steps away from the role. The appointment comes as Moorfield looks to increase its investment activity within the UK living sectors, with a focus on multifamily build-to-rent (BTR), new-build single-family housing, co-living and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
Smith was at Allsop for seven years, initially joining as a director of asset management before being promoted to Chief Executive Officer of Allsop Letting & Management (ALM) in a 2022.
Allsop Letting & Management (ALM) is the residential asset manager and subsidiary of property consultancy Allsop. During Smith’s tenure, the business grew to become one of the largest residential managers in the UK, with more than 10,000 lettings under management.
Moorfield was, and remains, a client of ALM, giving Smith a current and deep insight into Moorfield’s residential portfolio. Moorfield’s residential-for-rent portfolio includes multi-family BTR, single-family housing, co-living and PBSA units, as well as student houses for sharers (HMOs).
Moorfield has been an early mover in the UK living sectors, first investing in student housing in 1997, retirement living in 2008 and multi-family BTR in 2012. Since 1997, Moorfield has originated, funded and managed approximately 10,000 living sector units.
Recent notable transactions include:
Charles Ferguson Davie, CEO and CIO at Moorfield Group, said: “Through the appointment of Matt we have made a senior hire with proven experience of managing scaled portfolios and with an intimate knowledge of our current and past residential-for-rent investments. The combination of structural factors that are restricting new supply, alongside strong demand, and the lack of available capital, is creating a compelling opportunity within the UK living sectors, which will be a major investment focus of ours going forward. We believe that the case for investment in UK real estate in these sectors is strong, with inflation-linkage and high returns achievable for investors, whilst also helping to solve the country’s housing crisis.”
Matthew Smith said: “Few fund managers have the pedigree in the UK living sectors that Moorfield does. Having worked closely with them for many years, it is a business I have grown to admire and I look forward to working with the senior leadership team in ensuring operational excellence for Moorfield’s investor base across growing Moorfield’s living sector presence.”