AustralianSuper launches UK housing investment platform

The country’s largest super fund has launched a £500 million UK housing platform to expand its living sector investments and support economic growth.

AustralianSuper has announced the creation of a new UK living platform, launching with an initial £500 million ($1.1 billion) investment and plans to become one of the top five rental home operators in the UK within five years.

The platform targets investments across the UK living sector, including student, co-living, and residential accommodation, and aims to deliver customer-focused, institutional-grade housing that connects education, innovation, and industry.

It forms part of AustralianSuper’s broader goal to grow its UK portfolio to £18 billion by 2030.
The platform’s first project is a student housing development in Bristol, with construction already underway and completion expected in 2027.

Additional projects are being considered in high-demand urban centres anchored by major universities and high-growth industries.

Damian Moloney, deputy chief investment officer at AustralianSuper, said the initiative highlights the continued strength of the UK as an investment destination.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates the continued attractiveness of the UK as a global investment destination, with AustralianSuper on track to deploy more than £8 billion of new capital into the country by 2030,” he said.

“With ambitious plans to scale, our new living sector platform is a clear demonstration of the Fund’s mature, international investment capabilities and complements our existing sectoral exposure across AustralianSuper’s global real assets portfolio.

“Establishing this platform is a significant milestone for AustralianSuper. It’s a great example of the ways the Fund can contribute to economic growth in the UK, while generating returns for our 3.5 million members.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves welcomed the investment and said: “This is about getting Britain building again – bringing our savings, our investors and our regions together to deliver the homes, infrastructure and industries that will drive growth and create good jobs in every corner of the country – building a stronger economy that works for, and rewards, working people.”

The new business will be led by CEO Tim Butler, founder and co-investor of Student Roost and a former main board director of Unite Group plc. Butler will oversee the platform’s strategy and growth.

AustralianSuper said several key factors have driven its decision to launch the platform, including the UK’s growing housing shortage, strong demand from students, and limited institutional ownership in the £1.6 trillion private rented sector, where only 2 per cent of assets are institutionally owned.

Vicky Stanley, senior investment director for real assets at AustralianSuper, said: “We have launched our own UK living platform in order to deliver the highest standards for quality customer service, safety and sustainability.

“As a long-term investor, AustralianSuper believes there are attractive fundamentals underpinning the UK living market that position it well for continued expansion and investment.”

The initiative builds on AustralianSuper’s global housing experience, including its cornerstone investment in Melbourne-based housing developer Assemble, where it has committed more than $630 million to projects delivering 3,000 homes by 2030.

Since opening its London office in 2016, AustralianSuper has expanded its local presence to 189 employees and has £11 billion invested in the UK.

The fund expects to grow this to £18 billion by 2030 and anticipates managing £250 billion of member assets from its London office by 2035.