Build-to-Rent Summit
Australia's premier Build-to-Rent conference backed by data, analysis and insights from leading developers, investors, operators and experts
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About the event
The Urban Developer’s acclaimed Build-to-Rent Summit returns to the W Hotel in Melbourne in June 2026.
Since establishing this event five years ago, The Urban Developer team has consistently brought together the most influential private and institutional players in the BtR space.
The one-day summit focuses on how developers, capital, operators and consultants are approaching the future and how critical issues are impacting decision-making.
The program includes keynotes, panels and presentations covering supply and demand dynamics, investment appetite, policy shifts, project delivery considerations and how global capital is flowing through the sector.
Attendees will also learn through case studies that dive into the design, development and delivery of industry-recognised BtR projects.
If you’re interested in how the industry’s leading private and institutional BtR players are thinking about the sector, then this is the conference for you.
Don’t miss your chance to secure tickets as this event will sell-out.
Details
Thursday, June 11, 2026
W Hotel, Melbourne | 8.30 am – 4.00 pm AEST
200 + C-Suite Professionals
Non-Members: $595 + GST
TUD+ Members: $475 + GST
Keynote Speaker
Conal Newland | International Director, Head of Living, Asia Pacific
CusHman Wakefield
Conal Newland is International Director and Head of Living, Asia Pacific at Cushman & Wakefield, with more than 20 years’ experience advising institutional investors and operators. He specialises in living sectors including student accommodation, build-to-rent, co-living and seniors housing, providing strategic insight across evolving residential asset classes.
Speakers
Sasha Durham
National Development Director, Build-To-Rent
Mirvac
Sarsha Durham is National Development Director for Build to Rent at Mirvac, overseeing a portfolio of more than 2,200 apartments.
With over 20 years’ experience, she has been instrumental in shaping the group’s BTR strategy, with a focus on design quality, innovation and delivering sustainable, institutional-grade rental communities.
Will Peters
Development Director
Kiō Investment Management
Will Peters is Development Director at Kiō Investment Management, leading development and delivery across the firm’s national pipeline.
With experience spanning acquisition through to project execution, he has overseen the approval and delivery of more than 5,000 apartments, bringing strong expertise across institutional development and large-scale residential projects.
Yasmin Booker
Build-To-Rent Asset Manager
Barings
Yasmin Booker is Associate Director of Residential Asset Management at Barings, overseeing the strategic delivery of Barings and Aware Super’s Build-to-Rent platform, WeAreLiving.
With experience across investment, design and operational performance, she brings both local and international BTR expertise, helping shape institutional rental strategies in Australia.
Dan McLennan
Founder & Co-CEO
Local Residential
Dan McLennan is Founder and Co-CEO of Local Residential, one of Australia’s largest Build-to-Rent platforms, with more than 4,000 apartments under management.
He leads the delivery of integrated rental communities, combining market, affordable and specialist housing with a focus on quality, sustainability and long-term operational performance.
Alex Shaw
Director – Living Sectors
CBRE
Alex Shaw is a Director in CBRE’s Living Sectors Capital Markets team, covering Australia and New Zealand.
With more than a decade of experience across residential capital markets in Australia and the UK, he specialises in development funding and investment transactions across build-to-rent, student accommodation and co-living sectors.
Jeremy Quinn
Head of Agency
Franklin St.
Jeremy Quinn is Head of Agency at Franklin St., Australia’s specialist Build-to-Rent advisory.
With more than 20 years’ global real estate experience, including US multifamily markets, he brings deep capital markets and structuring expertise to the BTR sector, advising investors and developers across feasibility, funding and delivery.
Luke Mackintosh
Partner, Project & Infrastructure Advisory
BDO
Luke Mackintosh is a Partner in Project & Infrastructure Advisory at BDO, with more than 30 years’ experience across Australian and Asian real estate markets.
He specialises in capital advisory for the living sectors, including build-to-rent, student accommodation and affordable housing, working with governments, developers and institutional investors on complex property transactions.
Ben Pomroy
Principal
Rothelowman
Ben Pomroy is Principal and leads Rothelowman’s Sydney studio, where he focuses on improving housing outcomes through design and policy collaboration.
Ben specialises in advancing apartment typologies and precinct strategies, working across government and industry to deliver better housing outcomes with a strong emphasis on future resident experience and liveability.
Charlotte Dillion
General Manager
Nation
Charlotte Dillon is General Manager at Nation, one of Australia’s fastest growing Build-to-Rent platforms.
Charlotte specialises in scaling operations and integrating leasing, resident experience and technology, building high-performing, institutionally aligned platforms focused on long-term ownership, consistent service delivery and strong asset performance at scale.
Nicole Hiddlestone
Partner & Head of Growth & Operations
Infolio
Nicole Hiddlestone is Partner and Head of Growth & Operations at Infolio Property Advisors, and a leading specialist in build-to-rent and project leasing.
With more than 18 years’ experience, she advises developers on design, pricing and leasing strategy to drive absorption, enhance asset performance and support long-term tenant retention across large-scale residential projects.
Sebastian Mahoney
Development Director
PDG Corporation
Sebastian Mahoney is Development Director at PDG Corporation, where he leads major residential and commercial developments and contributes to the group’s strategic direction.
Sebastian has extensive experience delivering large-scale, precinct-shaping projects and has been involved in significant transactions with institutional and build-to-rent partners.
Peter Bates
Executive Chairman
Essence Communities
Peter Bates is Executive Chairman of Essence Communities, with more than 20 years’ experience in the living sector. Formerly CEO of UniLodge, he oversaw its growth from 2,500 to 45,000 beds, establishing it as a leading accommodation operator.
Peter now leads strategy and partnerships across the group’s build-to-rent and living sector platforms, including multifamily, co-living and affordable housing.
Brandon Esplin
Residential Lead
Salto
Brandon Esplin is the Residential Lead at SALTO Systems. Specialising in Build-to-Rent, Build-to-Sell, Co-Living, Senior Living, and mixed-use developments, Brandon works at the intersection of property and technology, helping projects improve operational efficiency, resident experience, security, and long-term asset performance.
David Cummins
Managing Director
Future Property Group
David Cummins is Managing Director of Future Property Group, with more than 20 years’ experience across over $2 billion in development projects.
David is the driving force behind the EcoHome concept, focused on regenerative, nature-positive housing, and prioritises research-led, scalable development approaches that aim to redefine sustainable building outcomes.
Rhys Williams
Co-Founder
UKO
Rhys Williams is Co-Founder of UKO, part of LiveStay, and a leader in Australia’s co-living and Build-to-Rent sector.
With more than 20 years’ experience, he has helped scale a national portfolio spanning thousands of keys, including apartment hotels, co-living and BTR assets, and specialises in operating and converting residential assets for institutional and private capital partners.
Trent Bell
Development Director – Living
Investa
Trent Bell is Development Director – Living at Investa, leading the delivery of build-to-rent and studio living projects across the development lifecycle.
With experience spanning architecture, construction and large-scale residential delivery, he oversees complex projects from concept through to operations, balancing design quality, commercial outcomes and long-term asset performance.
Key themes
Rental demand drivers
National BtR supply pipeline
Planning and policy shifts
Investment appetite
Global capital flows
Delivery considerations
Funding and liquidity
Project valuations
Attendees will receive
- A comprehensive view of BtR supply and demand dynamics
- Analysis of the BtR supply pipeline across the country
- An understanding of planning and policy changes
- Insights into global capital flows and investment appetite
- An understanding of project delivery issues across Australia
- How funding, valuations and feasibilities are performing
- Project case studies
Download Program
You can view the full program via the link below.
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