The loc8me Lowdown: Your Community Update

Hi, I’m Fern Tebbutt, Business Development Manager at loc8me.

We’re back with the second edition of the loc8me newsletter, your monthly roundup of everything happening across our growing community. Whether you’re a student, a landlord curious about our latest developments, or just keen to keep up with our journey, there’s something here for you.

In this edition, I’m excited to share some updates from inside the business, spotlighting a few of our amazing team members, and providing insights into the current market. So let’s jump straight in!

Company Updates

Meet the Team Behind the Scenes: loc8me’s Senior Management

At loc8me, it’s never just about properties, it’s about people. Behind our fast-paced growth and the standout experience we offer students, is a passionate team of leaders driving it all forward. They’re the ones that keep things moving, continuing to hold our standards high, and making sure our vision stays sharp. I’m proud to introduce you to the Senior Management Team making it all happen.

At loc8me, I’m lucky to work alongside a brilliant Senior Management Team, all driven by the same energy and ambition. It all starts with our Founder, Raffaele Russo his vision and passion which sticks at the heart of everything we do. Sam Foulds our Director of Operations, makes sure everything runs smoothly with all stakeholders and receive a top tier service. Kirsty Wallace as our Regional Operations Manager looks after employee performance, working closely with branch managers to ensure we are keeping standards high across every location. I take the lead on driving development within the business, mentoring branch managers, taking vital steps to grow into new markets and fostering meaningful partnerships. Sonya Russo is our Head of People, always putting culture and wellbeing at the centre of our team. On the finance side, Helen Russo our Finance Director steers the strategy, maintaining financial control and structure to optimise growth and expansion, while Rosy Banwait our Accounts Manager handles the day-to-day accounts, alongside her team, with sharp attention to detail. Callum Birkinshaw leads our marketing, bringing the brand to life and finding new ways to connect with our audience. And finally, Martyn Adams is our go-to for all things safety and compliance – more on that later in this edition!

For me, it really is One Team, One Mission. This leadership team brings together a brilliant mix of experience and drive. A lot of what we do happens behind the scenes, but you can feel the impact in every move-in day, every upgrade we make, and every happy tenant we support.

Our Summer Social Was a Success – Why Celebrating Our Staff Matters

This year’s Summer Social was such a highlight, it brought colleagues from all over the business together for a well-deserved day of fun in the sun. With the hard work from the loc8me Committee in creating the theme “loc8me by the Sea,” we had everything from fish and chips and mini golf to ice cream vans and even a fun fair!

It’s easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of our work, especially at this time of year, which is exactly why days like this matter so much. It give us the chance to pause, connect, and enjoy each other’s company outside of the day-to-day. These moments help build trust and a real sense of community that carries through both in and out of the office.

Our teams work incredibly hard all year round, and events like this are just a small way of saying thank you. They really do help create a culture where people feel valued, want to grow, and want to stay.

We’re already looking ahead to our Autumn Social in September, where we’ll take time to reflect on everything we’ve learned from the busy summer season. A huge thank you to our committee and academy for making these events happen!

Keeping Our Houses Compliant In An Evolving World Of Legislation

In a sector where change is constant, staying ahead of legislation isn’t just important, it’s essential. At loc8me, I see first hand how important it is to go beyond just ticking boxes when it comes to compliance. For us, it’s about creating safe, trustworthy, and high-quality homes for every student and landlord we work with.

Why does compliance matter now more than ever?

The student lettings space is facing more regulation than ever. From health and safety requirements to energy efficiency standards and stricter HMO licensing rules. And with key issues like sustainability, renter protections, and housing quality in the spotlight, especially with the upcoming Renters Rights Bill we mentioned in our last edition. It’s clear that more change is on the way.

Our compliance team is headed up by Martyn Adams who does a great job at maintaining safety standards for all 7,500 students under loc8me’s roof.

For us, compliance isn’t reactive – it’s proactive.

Market Update

Chinese Student Market Set to Rise – What Does This Means for UK Student Lettings?

A recent BBC article has highlighted a significant shift in global student accessibility.

Chinese students are looking to the UK as a preferred destination for higher education has increased, particularly as the US becomes a less certain option.

This trend could have a major positive impact on the UK student lettings market. At loc8me, we see this as a strong signal of growing demand, especially in key university cities that we are in! Increased enrolments from Chinese students will not only drive occupancy levels but also contribute significantly to local economies through tuition fees and everyday living expenses.

For property owners and investors, this could mean:

• Higher and more stable rental yields
• Increased occupancy rates throughout the academic year
• A stronger, more resilient student rental sector

As always, we remain focused on delivering high-quality student accommodation and tailored services to meet the evolving needs of the international student community.

Thank you for providing updates to the Student Market Sector BBC News