The Association for Rental Living (ARL) – the membership body for all institutionally backed, professionally managed purpose-built rental living sectors – has confirmed the appointments of its new Non Executive Board.
As of the ARL’s Annual General Meeting on 26th November 2024, the new Board has formally taken over the ARL’s governance, control and strategic direction.
Highly experienced consultant and non-executive director Helen Kings has been appointed Chair of the ARL and is now responsible for taking forward the organisation’s strategic remit. A Chartered Director and Founder of Kings Residential, a boutique consultancy and advisory firm, Kings has more than a decade of executive and non-executive experience in the real estate sector. Her previous experience includes 6 years as Managing Director of Touchstone Residential, one of the UK’s largest third-party property managers.
“I am honoured to be taking up the role of Chair of the ARL. Together with my fellow new board members, we look forward to taking the organisation on to the next chapter, championing the rental living sector and all it offers, and delivering for members.” Helen Kings, Chair, ARL
Kings’ experience spans corporate expansion and strategy across the Build to Rent (BTR) and wider private rented sector, including shared ownership, student and retirement, aligning perfectly with ARL’s future-facing strategic remit. She takes over from outgoing Chair Lesley Roberts, who has been in post since 2018 and who has now stepped down as part of the ARL Board’s planned succession.
“We are delighted to be welcoming the new Board to the ARL at this key point of the organisation’s evolution. The current board have served since just before Covid and now feel that the ARL is ready to supercharge the next phase of membership growth and strategic positioning of the ARL within the rental living sector ecosystem.
“The ARL’s next period of expansion requires fresh energy, perspective and a diversity of knowledge and expertise which this new board will bring. We’re confident the organisation will be in safe hands.” Lesley Roberts, Former Chair, the ARL
Other key appointments to the new ARL Board include Harry Swales as Vice Chair and Treasurer. Swales is Director and Head of Residential at Dorrington and brings significant residential investment strategy and portfolio management expertise to his new ARL role.
Swales is joined on the Board by Cyrille West, Head of Build to Rent, London at Eversheds Sutherland, whose operational residential real estate legal experience spans the hotel, affordable, student and senior living sectors.
Also joining the refreshed ARL Board is solicitor Karen Cooksley. A specialist real estate sector consultant, Cooksley brings both legal and planning expertise to the Board. Her other non-executive appointments include the Edmund de Rothschild-backed Funding Affordable Housing, Housing Association (FAHHA), while she also has extensive experience of local council lobbying.
Martin Bellinger has also committed his knowledge and skills to the future of the ARL. The real estate expert and BTR pioneer, who was one of the founders of Essential Living and is a Founding Director of Goodstone Living, will serve as an independent voice on the ARL Board.
Apo’s Head of Group Strategy, Stephanie Smith, who already Chairs the ARL Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, completes the new ARL Board appointments. Smith has been appointed as Secretary, bringing 20+ years of international living sector operations, training and asset management experience to the role.
“I am delighted to welcome such a diverse array of talent to the ARL Board. Their knowledge, skills and experience will kickstart the next phase of the ARL’s strategic positioning and membership growth, accelerating the organisation’s value to the rental living sector.
“My sincere thanks go to outgoing Chair Lesley Roberts and our other outgoing board members for their years of dedicated service. I would also like to thank the ARL’s Nominations Committee for its rigorous work in assuring such an excellent Board is now in place to take the ARL’s work to the next level over the coming years.”
Brendan Geraghty, CEO, ARL
