Webinar

Co-Living: In Focus

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Date

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Time

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM AEST

About this event

Developing and investing in one of Australia’s fastest growing sectors.

Join us for an interactive webinar that explores the rapidly-rising co-living sector.

The session begins with a presentation from Knight Frank’s John-Paul Stichbury, author of The Co-Living Report, and is followed by an interactive panel with UKO’s Rhys Williams and Pro-invest Group’s Dr. Sabine Schaffer.

With direct investment into co-living expected to grow significantly in coming years, this is an essential sector to understand and follow closely.

KEYNOTE

John-Paul Stichbury

Valuation & Advisory | Knight Frank

John-Paul Stichbury is a partner in Knight Frank Australia’s valuation and advisory team, specialising in build-to-rent, co-living and broader Living Sectors, and brings more than a decade of institutional valuation and consultancy experience from Knight Frank’s UK Baker Street office.

PANELISTS

Dr. Sabine Schaffer

Co-Founder & Managing Partner | Pro-invest Group

Dr. Sabine Schaffer, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Pro-invest Group, plays an instrumental role in building one of Australasia’s leading vertically integrated real estate platforms, with more than A$3 billion in assets under management across Living, Urban Accommodation and Hospitality. Formerly with McKinsey & Company, she has more than 25 years’ experience across private equity, finance and real estate, and holds a Master’s degree from Harvard University and a PhD from the University of Innsbruck.

Rhys Williams

Co-Founder | UKO

Rhys Williams is co-founder of the Veriu Group and CEO of the UKO platform, Australia’s largest multifamily operator, with more than 22 years’ experience growing a national portfolio of 50+ co-living and serviced apartment assets and shaping operational best practice across the sector.

What you'll learn

  • Key findings from Knight Frank’s Co-Living Report and how the sector is evolving in Australia.
  • The core characteristics of co-living as an institutional asset class, including operating models and revenue drivers.
  • How demographic, affordability and lifestyle trends are underpinning demand for co-living nationally.
  • Insights from UKO’s growth from first asset to national platform, including lessons in design, operations and resident experience.
  • How investors, developers and operators are structuring co-living projects and capital stacks.
  • Risk, return and performance considerations compared with build-to-rent, student accommodation and traditional residential.

Who should attend

Residential and Living Sectors developers and asset owners.

Institutional and private investors assessing co-living opportunities.

Fund managers and capital partners with exposure to Living Sectors.

Valuers, advisers and consultants working in residential and alternative assets.

Co-living, build-to-rent and student accommodation operators.

Planners, designers and project managers involved in emerging housing models.