BOOK NOW | City Living Summit

Explore trends in build-to-rent, student accommodation, social housing and more at this Place North conference in Manchester on Thursday 30 April.

Attendees will gain an insight into the supply and demand fundamentals in the urban markets of the North of England, drawing out the forces at work and the challenges facing developers.

Expert speakers confirmed to date

Becca Heron, strategic director of growth & development, Manchester City Council | Heron has a key role in the delivery of the ambitions set out in the Our Manchester strategy, building on the successes of the last two decades to drive inclusive growth that will ensure the city continues to be one of the most exciting destinations in Europe to live, work and play. Formerly director of economy and skills at Wigan Council, Becca’s career has included a number of different public sector roles, including previous positions within both Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. During her time with the GMCA, Becca led on a series of high-profile and complex initiatives, including the development of 2014 Devolution Agreement.

Ed Howe, head of operational living research, Bidwells | Howe is head of operational living research at Bidwells, overseeing research and analysis for a range of clients across BTR, Co-Living, and Single Family Housing Sectors across the UK. He has eight years’ experience in Build to Rent research and is particularly enthusiastic about city centre living, growing northern cities to reach their full potential, place-making, and urban regeneration.

Alan Bevan, managing director, City Residential | Bevan is owner and managing director of City Residential, Liverpool’s leading city centre residential specialist. Formerly a sales director at David McLean Homes, Bevan founded the firm in 2000 and has become the go-to agent for the residential market in the city covering residential sales, lettings and property management, student, build-to-rent and land sales and acquisitions.

Katie Tonkinson, head of Studio North, Hawkins\Brown | Since establishing Studio North for Hawkins\Brown in 2014, Tonkinson has led a wide range of complex projects, spanning public and private sectors and at a variety of scales. She has a wealth of design experience, accumulated over more than 20 years with the company, commanding considerable knowledge of technical, legislative and societal issues: “serious about society, human about architecture”.

Kevin Logan, director, Maccreanor Lavington | Maccreanor Lavington has built up a diverse portfolio of both individual buildings and large-scale urban design projects and has a particular expertise in housing, public buildings and regeneration.

There will be a mix of presentations and panel debates examining the vital role residential delivery in Northern cities has to play in addressing the housing crisis.

City Living Summit 2026 is sponsored by Curtins.

Further details will be announced in due course.