AREF Newsletter - March 2025


AREF has seen significant industry developments, new initiatives, and great opportunities for our members this month. Table bookings are now open for the AREF Annual Dinner and Awards—always a highlight of the year—so be sure to secure your place.

The Government has announced the tax rules for the Reserved Investment Fund (RIF) legislation, and from 19 March, fund managers will be able to launch RIFs. This is a significant step for the industry, and we will continue to provide updates and insights on what it means for our members.

We’ve also launched a new ESG podcast series, ESG Myth Busting, tackling common misconceptions in the market. Plus, we’re pleased to announce some fantastic new sponsorships that will support our work and events in the coming months.

Read on for the latest updates and opportunities to get involved.

AREF Annual Dinner & Awards 2025 - open for bookings!

Bookings for the AREF Annual Dinner & Awards 2025 are filling up fast, with almost half the tables already sold. Proudly sponsored by JTC, this prestigious event will take place on Thursday 25th September at Raffles Hotel, London, offering an evening of celebration, networking, and industry recognition.

More info and book

Parliament legislates for new private assets onshore fund structure

Parliament has passed the Reserved Investor Fund secondary legislation, allowing fund managers to launch this new onshore fund structure from 19 March 2025. Read the many press articles on our website.

Read press articles on the RIF

Watch/Listen/Read: Exploring the Future of LTAFs Event

Last month we hosted an engaging panel discussion on Long-Term Asset Funds (LTAFs), bringing together key industry figures to explore the evolving landscape, regulatory developments, and opportunities in private markets, including an update from the FCA. Read all about the session and watch/listen to the recordings.

View more

AREF Collaborates with Charity: Regeneration Brainery

For the first time, AREF is collaborating with a charity as part of our DEI initiatives. With this year’s focus on social mobility, we’re proud to support Regeneration Brainery, a charity mentoring young people from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in real estate. We’ll be raising awareness and launching a fundraiser later this year.

Read more

New AREF Podcast Series: ESG Myth Busting

A series of bitesize weekly podcasts that aims to address prevalent misconceptions and myths surrounding ESG, offering clear, evidence-based insights from our industry experts. New episodes released weekly!

Listen to the podcast

AREF Funds: Leading in Governance

Almost all AREF Funds are complying with the new Charter! By completing self-certification, fund managers show their commitment to governance excellence in unlisted UK property funds.

View the 2025 Compliance Register

Free Tickets to UKREiiF 2025

We're pleased to share that staff working for an AREF Investor Member or an AREF Fund Member firm are eligible for free tickets to the UKREiiF 2025, taking place in Leeds from 20–22 May 2025

Read more

Team Spotlight: Meet the AREF Team! Ed Protheroe

Welcome to 'Team Spotlight' where each month, we'll spotlight one of our amazing team members, sharing a glimpse into their role, passions, and what makes them an invaluable part of our journey. This month we introduce Ed Protheroe, who is Strategy Consultant here at AREF.

Read more

Sponsorship Opportunities

06 Mar 2025
Sponsorship Opportunity: FutureGen Conference 2025, Oxford
Sponsorship opportunity
13 Feb 2025
Sponsorship Opportunity: New FUNDamentals Training Series


 

Upcoming Events

19 Mar 2025
Webinar - Insights Unveiled: MSCI/AREF UK Property Fund Index Analysis
Webinar
01 May 2025
AREF Committee Day 2025 & General Meeting
AREF Committee Day
10 Jun 2025 London
Save the Date! AREF Members Summer Drinks Reception
Members-only Drinks Reception
25 Sep 2025 Raffles, London (at The OWO)
AREF Annual Dinner & Awards 2025
Annual Dinner & Awards
02 Sep 2025 Oxford
Save the Date! AREF FutureGen Conference 2025
Conference

 

Miss a recent event? Catch up on the materials here..

24 Feb 2025
Post-event write-up: Exploring the Future of Long-Term Asset Funds (LTAFs)
Post-event Materials
31 Jan 2025
Post-event write-up: Facing the practical reality of decarbonising buildings
Post-event Materials

 

News this month

28 Feb 2025
Reserved Investor Fund

In February 2025, legislation for an unauthorised co-ownership contractual scheme, the Reserved Investor Fund (RIF), and tax regulations for the RIF were laid in Parliament...

News Article
11 Mar 2025
Property Fund Vision - Q4 2024

Download the Q4 2024 Property Fund Vision Handbook (PFV).

Property Fund Vision
06 Mar 2025
Land registry: Removing a hurdle to growth
Press Release
28 Feb 2025
FCA – Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) and investment labels

Find out more here about the FCA's Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) and investment labels regime.

News Article
27 Feb 2025
RICS Red Book - UK National Supplement 2023 edition

RICS have published a survey to understand how the UK VPS 3 valuation standards, within their 2023 edition of the UK National Supplement to the Global Red Book, are impacti...

News Article
24 Feb 2025
Long-Term Asset Fund (LTAF)

Click here to learn more about regulation and guidance in relation to the Long-Term Asset Fund (LTAF) and read about AREF's event looking at the future of the LTAF. The mod...

News Article
19 Feb 2025
FRC - UK Stewardship Code

AREF has responded to the Financial Reporting Council's consultation on significant updates to the UK Stewardship Code.

News Article
19 Feb 2025
Law Commission - Landlord and Tenant Act consultations

The Law Commission are reviewing Part 2 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 with a view to modernise commercial leasehold legislation. AREF has responded to their initial c...

News Article

Follow us on LinkedIn

We would encourage all members to follow us on LinkedIn. Please 'like' and 'share' our posts to help spread news of the good work AREF is doing.

Click to follow

AREF Guidance

Did you know? Our website offers a fabulous range of guidance available to AREF members on our website. From best practice recommendations to insightful resources, our member hub is a treasure trove of support—do explore it and make the most of what’s on offer!

Go to the Guidance section on our website

We can share your Articles and White Papers

We welcome any interesting articles, research, or white papers from our members and would be glad to share them across our channels.

Email it to us

AREF's History

Read about the history of AREF from its launch in the 1970s as The Association of Property Unit Trusts to what it is today, written by our very own Rachel Portlock, AREF's Head of Research.

Read the History Document

Missed an AREF event?

You can catch up with our events by reading the write-up, watching the recording or listening to the podcasts for all our events held this year.

Catch up...

AREF Committee Updates

Did you know you can read all about what the AREF Committees have been working on recently?

Click to read committee updates

Industry Initiatives

Real Estate 360° 2025

RSM’s Real Estate 360° report uncovers the sentiment and market drivers for 2025 and beyond. Based on a survey of over 200 businesses, the report explores the views of real estate leaders on key topics such as funding, asset class investment, tax, government policy, and ESG, complemented by expert commentary.

View the full report here

Training & Events from Diversity Talks Real Estate (DTRE)

DTRE is offering 10% member discount to AREF members on their upcoming training courses using promo code PARTNERTEN.

read more

Do you know of a fantastic industry initiative?

Please share this with us and we can include it in the next newsletter.

Email us

Do you have any FutureGen colleagues who would like to join the Network?

Please forward this to any FutureGen friends and colleagues who would be interested in joining the network to receive updates of our latest events and initiatives. AREF is committed to investing in our future! We have over 400 future generation members in our Network.

Join today!

The Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF) is the body that represents the interests of its fund managers, those firms that advise and support them and the end-investors. For further information, please visit our website.