MIPIM | Opportunity for SME housebuilders
When then Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government Sajid Javid said in 2017 that “the housing market was broken”, describing it as “almost impossible for small independent builders to enter the market”, he cast light on an issue of vital importance, writes Simon Finlay, head of development at Macbryde Homes.
He committed to making it easier for small and medium-sized builders to compete, so today as we head to the 30th MIPIM property market event, we do so with ambitious growth plans.
Sajid Javid’s words in 2017 are ones that Macbryde Homes wholeheartedly agrees with. With MIPIM’s theme this year focused on “engaging the future” and addressing the question of how upcoming generations will live and work in increasingly populated urban areas, we are looking forward to what that future holds.
For an SME housebuilder with ambitious growth plans to become a regional player, MIPIM promises to provide us with the opportunity to actively engage the future in several streams. As an established SME with planned and sustainable growth targets in place, we believe that we are perfectly positioned to help Government move towards achieving the goals set out within the 2017 White Paper, “Fixing our Broken Housing Market”.
We are keen to further engage with Homes England and local authorities in this respect and have been encouraged by Homes England’s stance in the North West to target public sector land toward SMEs. MIPIM should provide us with the opportunity to further understand their regional activities and sessions such as “the role of local authorities in increasing supply”, “Unlocking Growth in the Northern Powerhouse” and “Housing: Not just the usual suspects” are of particular interest.
We are firm in our belief the SMEs have a key role to play in the delivery of housing. Within local authority areas, SMEs can facilitate growth, increase competition and importantly diversify the range of housing product for sale in that area.
Whilst finding land and developing a quality product for sale is important to Macbryde Homes, diversifying our offer is a key strategy in our growth plans. The first stage of this is actively increasing promotion and brand awareness of the business so that a wider range of potential partners recognise us and appreciate what it is we do so well. Engaging in relationships with likeminded housing associations and Build to Rent investors is a key target for us, as is engaging with Liverpool City Council in relation to its new Foundations housing company. Gaining a greater understanding of Manchester City Council’s future housing and regeneration strategy will also be a key priority.
So, whilst Government repeatedly reminds us that the housing crisis is “the biggest challenge of our generation”, Macbryde Homes stands ready and willing to play its part in addressing this.
Sponsor of Place North West at MIPIM
