A new U.K. living platform led by purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) pioneer Tim Butler has appointed Johnny Langton as head of operations. Tim Butler, founder and co-investor of Student Roost and one of the founding shareholders and former main board director of UNITE Group plc, is the CEO of the new platform. This announcement follows the firm’s recent appointment of Richard Simpson as managing director.
The platform intends to become one of the top five operators of U.K. rental homes in the next five years and is supported by Australia’s biggest pension fund, AustralianSuper, with an A$1.1 billion ($790 million) commitment made in October 2025.
Langton brings more than 12 years of real estate experience and joins from Greystar, where he held leadership roles across the European platform, including responsibility for the U.K. student business. Most recently, he served as managing director, responsible for operational excellence across Europe.
John
