The Team Behind the Analysis
We're a focused group of researchers and analysts dedicated to making the UK housing market comprehensible for those who need to act on that understanding.
How We Started
Our founding partners met whilst working at a large property consultancy in 2010. They shared a frustration: too much industry analysis was designed to justify predetermined conclusions rather than genuinely inform decisions.
In 2012, they established an independent practice focused purely on research quality. The approach was simple: gather comprehensive data, analyse it rigorously, and present findings clearly—even when those findings complicated rather than simplified client decisions.
That philosophy attracted clients who valued substance over spin. Today we employ a team of eight, including specialists in regional economics, urban planning, and data science. We remain deliberately small to maintain the analytical depth that larger firms often sacrifice for volume.
What Guides Our Work
Principles that shape how we approach every engagement.
Intellectual Honesty
We report what the data shows, not what clients might prefer to hear. Awkward findings are valuable precisely because they challenge assumptions.
Methodological Rigour
Our conclusions are traceable to evidence. We explain our sources, acknowledge data limitations, and distinguish established patterns from emerging signals.
Clear Communication
Analysis is only useful if decision-makers can understand and apply it. We prioritise clarity over comprehensiveness when the two conflict.
Practical Focus
Academic thoroughness matters, but so does relevance. We frame findings around the actual decisions our clients need to make.
Leadership Team
The principals who direct our research programmes and client engagements.
David Hartley
Founding PartnerFormer head of residential research at Knight Frank. Specialises in London and South East markets.
Emma Richardson
Founding PartnerBackground in regional economics. Leads our analysis of Northern England and Scottish markets.
Thomas Webb
Head of Data ScienceJoined from the ONS. Oversees our quantitative methodologies and predictive modelling work.
Priya Sharma
Senior AnalystChartered town planner with expertise in housing policy and planning system impacts on supply.
Company Milestones
Key moments in our development as a research practice.
Foundation
David Hartley and Emma Richardson establish the practice, initially operating from a small office in Clerkenwell with two additional analysts.
First Major Institutional Client
Retained by a listed property company for ongoing market monitoring, validating our research model and funding expansion.
Regional Expansion
Published our first comprehensive analysis of Northern Powerhouse cities, establishing expertise beyond London and the South East.
Data Science Integration
Thomas Webb joins to build our quantitative capabilities, introducing machine learning approaches to market forecasting.
Pandemic Response
Produced rapid analysis of COVID-19 impacts on housing preferences, helping clients navigate unprecedented market uncertainty.
ESG Focus
Launched dedicated research stream examining environmental factors in property valuation, responding to client demand for sustainability analysis.
Our Research Philosophy
Housing markets are local. National statistics mask enormous variation between and within regions. A headline about "UK house prices" tells you almost nothing about what's happening in specific postcodes where actual decisions get made.
We approach each analysis by first understanding the question it needs to answer. Generic reports have their place, but most clients benefit more from targeted research addressing their particular circumstances.
We're also honest about uncertainty. Property markets don't move predictably. Rather than offering false precision, we present scenarios with their underlying assumptions clearly stated. This helps clients prepare for multiple outcomes rather than betting everything on a single forecast.
Our Reach and Impact
Why Work With Us
What distinguishes our approach from larger consultancies and data vendors.
Direct Senior Access
Your work isn't delegated to junior staff. Founding partners remain actively involved in analysis and client communication throughout engagements.
Customised Research
We don't sell off-the-shelf reports padded to impressive page counts. Each engagement produces analysis tailored to your specific questions and decision context.
Transparent Pricing
No hidden costs or scope creep. We agree deliverables and fees upfront, with clear communication if circumstances suggest adjustments.
Interested in Working Together?
We're always happy to discuss potential engagements and explain how we might help with your specific needs.