Close Brothers Property Finance has launched a new network designed to support the next generation of housebuilders.
Tomorrow’s Developer seeks to address and remove the barriers preventing younger generations from starting their SME housebuilding businesses.
Through the network’s programme of events, candidates will hear from expert professional speakers, and access practical toolkits spelling out how to attract funding, source sites and secure planning.
Candidates are also encouraged to connect and engage with their peers to learn and share best practice through a number of networking and roundtable events throughout the year.
Potential applicants for the network should ideally be between the ages of 25-35 and have at least two years’ experience within the property or construction industry.
While not essential, it is recommended that applicants also have experience in the completion of a small project, while also having some equity behind them.
Tomorrow’s Developer was launched following Close Brother’s research conducted at the end of 2021 via social media, which surveyed over 50 potential next generation candidates from across England aged between 19-40 years old with careers or aspiring careers, in housebuilding.
The survey data revealed that 85% of respondents felt that more could be done to help them progress as SME housebuilders.
When asked what the major barriers to enter the sector were, participants cited funding (85%), sourcing sites (52%) and planning (45%) as the biggest challenges.
Andrew Argent, BDM at Close Brothers Property Finance, said: “The number of SME housebuilders has been in decline — to reverse this trend and plug the widening skills gap, we must find ways to help young people to start their own enterprises.
“Tomorrow’s Developer is the start of that journey and we’re very excited to help lay the foundations for the future of housebuilding in the UK and provide tangible, practical and concrete advice on how to break down the barriers to entry into property development.”
The next Tomorrow’s Developer network event will be held on 22nd March at Mama Shelter in Shoreditch, in partnership with Savills — those interested in participating can register by emailing [email protected]
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