In 2015 ULI Scotland continued to build on ULI’s diverse programme of real estate forums. Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2015 and the ULI Funds Seminar highlighted that Scotland’s investment community held an optimistic view that city locations and bespoke investment were of a growing interest. Global capital remains an opportunity however there is an increasing demand for for a more tailored approach which includes collaborative initiatives between cities and the wider real estate market that unlock urban regeneration, deeper value capture and innovative opportunities.

City centres that engage in innovation were seen as a key investment driver as highlighted in the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and ULI Tomorrow’s City Centre report. Launched in February themes from the white paper drew interest from ULI members across the UK and Europe highlighting the appetite for cities to ensure long-term diversification, meet emerging market opportunities and address common city regeneration challenges.

Residential investment saw caution due to political uncertainty, however 2016 could mark a change in this market with greater clarity on new tenancy legislation. In addition the second edition of the Build to Rent Guide will be launched in the spring of 2016 with the new guide addressing UK applications of this emerging market opportunity.

2016 will also see the launch of a ULI Scotland Committee, a cross sector real estate leadership group whose mission is to further diversify the ULI programme for 2016 and beyond. The committee will draw upon ULI’s global themes and plan to connect Scotland to ULI’s international expertise.

Our first forum for 2016 will be on the 19^th January with the launch of the ULI-PwC Emerging Trends in Real Estate report launch. We still have a few places available and would be delighted to invite you to attend.

We look forward to meeting you again in 2016 and sharing our programme with you shortly.

Michael Henderson

Partner, Property & Infrastructure

Shepherd & Wedderburn LLP

Chair, ULI Scotland