23/09/2011 - UPP case study highlighted in Universities UK’s Efficiency & Effectiveness in HE report

Universities UK last week released a report, Efficiency and effectiveness in higher education, which calls for a greater use of outsourcing in the higher education sector in a bid to reduce university costs. The report highlighted UPP’s bespoke, long-term partnership model as a case study for using the private sector to deliver student accommodation. The report stated that UPP’s model transfers the risks associated with funding, design, build, operation and residential management of campus infrastructure. To fund these developments, debt is secured solely against the project cash flows and without recourse to the university. UPP has released over £1.2 billion of private investment into the sector, with plans to invest a further £1 billion over the course of the next three years.

20/09/2011 - UPP Director of Strategy and Comms discusses future of Higher Education sector at Lib Dem Conference

Jon Wakeford, UPP’s Group Director of Strategy and Communications, today spoke at the fringe event of university mission group, 1994 Group, at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference, in Birmingham. He discussed UPP’s role in working in partnership with universities to bring private investment into the Higher Education sector. To date UPP have procured £1.2billion of funding to develop and operate more than 22,000 student bedrooms, teaching infrastructure on university campuses, and a wide range of facilities management services.

Discussing how the Liberal Democrats can support universities and win back the confidence of students, he said: “For UPP, we have a crucial role in supporting universities and students during this turbulent transition period. It is imperative that the outcome of the changes taking place result in universities that are able to adequately fund themselves sustainably and this will require the majority of universities to work more efficiently. Where savings are realised it is critical these are used to improve the experience of students, be it by improving facilities, the quality of teaching and research or by providing more bursaries or scholarships.”

31/08/2011 - Director of Strategy and Comms discusses future of student accommodation

In an interview with Education Investor on the future of the student accommodation sector, UPP’s Director of Strategy and Communication, Jon Wakeford, commented on UPP’s recent £200m estate transfer deal with the University of Reading. He explained that the 125 year partnership was driven by institutional investors seeking to maximise already stable, long-term returns, which is a particularly attractive proposition in the current market. Education Investor reported that UPP offers “low risk for investors because rent arrangements are set in advance with the university.” The article discussed how UPP’s unique partnership model provides guaranteed and predictable returns, while the university also benefits from being able to outsource the cost of upgrading and managing their accommodation stock. At a time when other infrastructure opportunities are drying up, the student accommodation sector is continuing to garner interest.

19/07/2011 - UPP team up with The Prince’s Trust to help young people in Exeter

UPP has teamed up with youth charity, The Prince’s Trust, to offer a new course to help unemployed young people into work. For the past two weeks, UPP and the University of Exeter have hosted 12 unemployed 16 to 25-year-olds on The Prince’s Trust’s Get Into Facilities Management course. One of those involved, Mark Ware, said: “I took part in the programme to gain experience and develop my skills, to enable me to get a job. I found the course insightful and refreshing.”

Sean O’Shea, Chief Executive of UPP said: “Our long-standing partnership with the Prince’s Trust continues to provide more young people with the opportunities they need to build a career. As the leading provider of student accommodation and asset management services, we are dedicated to providing training opportunities for young people on our sites, and investing in the communities in which we work. We are delighted to be working with the University of Exeter on this programme, and would like to thank them for all their help and support.”

20/06/2011 - UPP celebrates “Topping Out” on £24m University of Kent scheme

UPP celebrated “topping out” on its £24 million student accommodation project at the University of Kent – celebrating reaching the highest point in the build. Once complete, the on-campus development will comprise 495 new build student rooms adjacent to the existing Keynes College.

UPP Chief Executive, Sean O’Shea, said: “Construction is well underway and this milestone in the build demonstrates a fantastic step towards completion of the project. This development has been designed with sustainability in mind and to further enhance the student experience. We’re looking forward to working closely with our construction partners and suppliers in delivering the completed project for the next academic year.”