Video Transcription
Nikki:
Hi, my name's Nikki Kiriakou and I'm Sector Lead Build to Rent at NHBC. I'm delighted to be joined today by Shamez Alibhai, Managing Director and Head of Community Housing for Man Group. Thanks for joining us.
Shamez:
Thanks.
Nikki:
So I'd like to start with asking you what single action should businesses prioritise today to thrive in the years ahead?
Shamez:
I think if you look at the house building sector, one of the things that characterises it from a business perspective is just the lack of productivity. I mean, this is an industry that has the same productivity that we had almost 100 years ago. There's no other industry in the UK which has that claim to fame.
So I think across that entire supply chain, from planning through construction through to asset management, we really have to be thinking about productivity and how we can do more with less because we're going to need to do that if this industry is going to thrive and be able to grow to meet the demands that the country needs.
Nikki:
Thank you. What are you most optimistic about?
Shamez:
So I'm really optimistic about the focus on house building that this government has set out. I think that has been a step change over the previous government of the last 15–20 years. I think this government has really made that a priority.
And what I'm optimistic about is how the entire sector has stepped up to deliver that. So, I mean, you look at this conference, the number of people who come here, the enthusiasm, the can-do attitude — I think that's the thing that is really optimistic around the market today.
Nikki:
Yeah, no definitely. And how can we collectively make a difference for future generations?
Shamez:
I think as we start to think about the house building sector, what are we doing? We're providing homes for people in communities. And I think the biggest challenge we have today is that there are people who are going to be left behind.
House prices have just escalated so much. Rents have gone up so much. So if you're a key worker in a wonderful place like Cambridge or Oxford or Bristol, how are you going to afford to either buy or rent your own place — and somewhere that you want to raise your family in and feel happy about where you're living?
And I think that's the biggest challenge we have to address. I think at the top end of the market there are solutions because people can afford it. I think government, under the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, is delivering solutions for the bottom end of the market.
I think what's really missing right now is a policy solution and an industry solution for that key worker, essential worker component in expensive parts of the country.
Nikki:
On that point, what comes first — the policy solution or the industry solution?
Shamez:
I think this has to be led by policy. I think if you look at the South East or areas where house prices are very high relative to incomes, you're not going to be able to solve that through industry alone.
I think government and policy have to lead and once that policy has been established, I think industry will follow and will deliver.
Nikki:
Yeah, thank you. So why is BEYOND ’26 Live an essential event for the house building industry?
Shamez:
The thing about BEYOND ’26 Live which makes it exciting is that it brings the entire ecosystem together. Look, we're not going to solve the problem just by thinking about institutional capital or just thinking about planning or just thinking about construction.
We have to bring that entire supply chain, that entire value chain together. And that's what this event does. And I think it's a testament to the number of people that are here today.
Nikki:
That was really helpful. Thank you for your valuable contribution. Thank you so much for your time, really appreciate you being here.
Shamez:
Thank you so much.
