Association for Rental Living appoints hub co-chairs

The Association for Rental Living has appointed Tom Lord and Matt Halfpenny as co-chairs of its London and South East hub.

Tom, senior director of operations at Greystar, and Matt, co-founder of Residential Living Recruitment, will help lead the hub’s next phase of development and engagement with the rental living sector.

Tom said: “The London and South East hub has become an essential platform for sharing insight, building networks and advancing best practice across the rental living sector.

“At a time when housing challenges are intensifying, the group’s role in fostering collaboration and championing high-quality, professionally managed homes has never been more important. 

“I’m looking forward to working with peers across the region to build on the strong foundations already in place. 

“Our strategy for the hub this year is to build a strong community for Next Gen operators, we are very excited to engage this group and support their growth.”

Matt added: “I’m delighted to take up the role of co-chair for the London and South East hub. 

“I was really pleased with some of the events we were able to put on last year, including a very successful roundtable event on careers and talent development in the residential rental sectors.  

“I look forward to working with Tom Lord and my fellow London and South East hub members to drive the sector even further forward in 2026.”

The hub was established in autumn 2023 as part of the organisation’s regional growth strategy and has since focused on raising the profile of the sector and strengthening engagement with local authorities and industry stakeholders.

Brendan Geraghty, chief executive of Association for Rental Living, added: “The Association for Rental Living is grateful to our outgoing chair Sam Smith and vice chair Karen Standing for their outstanding leadership of the London and South East hub since its inauguration. 

“The hub has evolved at pace, and their drive and vision has been invaluable in establishing it as a key means of delivering the ARL’s strategic objectives in the region.

“We are delighted to welcome Tom and Matt to their new roles in the hub, leading its ongoing work promoting collaboration and addressing the unique challenges and opportunities facing the residential living sector in London and the wider South East.”

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