Capitalise event: what does 2022 have in store for the UK?

Etienne Prongué CEO, BNP Paribas Real Estate UK

“In 2021 we saw that international investment (in the UK) has come back to pre-pandemic levels which is really encouraging considering the travel disruptions that we had for coming in or leaving the country. It has become obvious that it is really important to inspect buildings before you buy, particularly for Asian-Pacific investors who don’t have boots on the ground unlike American investors.”

Jason Beedell, Head of Rural Research, BNP Paribas Real Estate UK

"Government financial support is changing very significantly from land managers receiving a fixed payment per acre to receiving payment for public goods. That’s going to be much less stable for them and much less profitable. To combat that, farmers are going to do one of two things; one is change how they farm (…) or they can diversify their profits and incomes which is much more likely for most, but not everyone. This diversification is going to include renewable energy, leisure, tourism, servicing staycations and providing high-quality space for other businesses, such as office and commercial space and also residential space. (…) All of this will require investment.”

Stephanie McMahon, Head of Research, BNP Paribas Real Estate UK

“We are forecasting for 2022, investment volumes of £66 billion, up significantly from activity in 2021 which was £60 billion. More activity means more demand and as such yield compression in some sectors.”

Stephen Wolfe, Head of Commercial, BNP Paribas Real Estate UK

“It is interesting that coming out of lockdown there is still a demand for hybrid working and CEOs who are driving to magnetise the workplace. They are doing this by giving people more space per head or collaborative space. They are also demanding more flexible space; more business lounges, more on-demand meeting rooms, more coffee shops and more gyms.”