Key Points
- Sentinel Real Estate, a New York City-based real estate investment management firm established in 1969, has announced the launch of its UK Living Platform.
- Ben Sanderson has joined as Managing Director to lead the platform from Sentinel’s new London office, overseeing the establishment of a fully integrated investment platform in the UK living sector.
- The move targets sub-asset classes including build-to-rent (BTR), single-family homes, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), and senior living, amid significant UK housing shortages.
- Michael Streicker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sentinel, praised Sanderson’s extensive track record in UK and European institutional real estate and a longstanding relationship spanning over 15 years.
- Sanderson brings over 25 years of global real estate experience, most recently as Managing Director at Aviva Investors, where he oversaw global real estate and infrastructure businesses and new residential programs in the UK and Europe.
- Sanderson served as Chair of the Investment Property Forum from 2020-2022 and remains a Board Member; he holds a BA in Economics from the University of York and an MA in Macroeconomics from the University of Liverpool.
- Sentinel manages $9.5 billion in institutional-quality real estate assets for 118 clients, with a portfolio of over 29,000 apartment units and 5.2 million square feet of commercial real estate, operating a vertically integrated platform with 800 employees.
- The firm has offices throughout the US, UK, the Netherlands, and Australia.
- As reported in Business Wire on 12 January 2026, Sanderson stated: “The UK living sector represents a compelling investment opportunity, given the significant undersupply of high-quality, affordable rental housing units and the still nascent nature of institutional penetration in the market. I look forward to building upon Sentinel’s proven track record as a global multifamily investor and operator to provide a vertically integrated investment solution to meet the growing demand for professionally managed rental housing across the UK.”
- Michael Streicker stated: “Ben’s extensive track record in UK and European institutional real estate, combined with his deep understanding of the living sector, makes him the ideal choice to establish Sentinel’s UK platform. We have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Ben that dates back more than 15 years. His proven ability to expand and build new lines of business and his established reputation within the institutional investment community will be invaluable as we bring Sentinel’s integrated living expertise to the UK market.”
- Coverage in Yahoo Finance on 12 January 2026 reiterated the appointment and Streicker’s comments on Sanderson’s suitability for launching the UK platform.
- PERE News reported on 11 January 2026 that Sentinel taps Aviva’s Ben Sanderson to head its new London office, noting he will report directly to Michael Streicker.
- CRE Herald stated on 12 January 2026: “Sentinel Real Estate has appointed Ben Sanderson as Managing Director to establish its UK living platform.”
- A LinkedIn post by Sarah Marx highlighted: “Sentinel Real Estate has hired Ben Sanderson to create a living platform in the UK as the New York-based manager opens its first investment office in London.”
Sentinel Real Estate, a veteran New York-based firm with over half a century in the industry, has launched a dedicated UK Living Platform by appointing industry heavyweight Ben Sanderson as Managing Director. This strategic entry into the British residential market comes amid acute housing shortages, positioning Sentinel to capitalise on opportunities in build-to-rent, student accommodation, and beyond. The announcement, detailed in a Business Wire press release dated 12 January 2026, underscores the firm’s ambition to deploy its vertically integrated model internationally.
Who is Ben Sanderson?
Ben Sanderson joins Sentinel with a formidable pedigree in global real estate. As reported by Business Wire, Sanderson possesses over 25 years of experience, with particular expertise in residential investment across the UK, Europe, the US, and Australia.
Most recently, he served as Managing Director at Aviva Investors, where he was responsible for the global real estate and infrastructure businesses, overseeing strategic direction and managing implementation of real estate investments across multiple risk profiles, including the establishment and execution of new residential investment programs spanning the UK and Europe.
A recognised industry leader, Sanderson served as Chair of the Investment Property Forum from 2020 to 2022 and continues as a Board Member. He holds a BA in Economics from the University of York and an MA in Macroeconomics from the University of Liverpool.
PERE News coverage on 11 January 2026 described him as coming from Aviva Investors to head Sentinel’s new London office, reporting directly to CEO Michael Streicker.
What is Sentinel Real Estate’s Background?
Established in 1969, Sentinel Real Estate is an independently owned real estate investment management firm headquartered in New York City. According to the Business Wire release, the firm currently manages $9.5 billion of institutional-quality real estate assets on behalf of 118 domestic and international clients.
Sentinel maintains offices throughout the United States, as well as corporate offices in the UK, the Netherlands, and Australia. Its portfolio comprises over 29,000 apartment units and 5.2 million square feet of commercial real estate.
The firm operates on a vertically integrated platform with 800 employees handling all phases of the investment process, including on-site property management. For more details, visit www.sentinelcorp.com, as noted in the press release.
Yahoo Finance echoed these details in its 12 January 2026 article, emphasising Sentinel’s declaration of Sanderson’s appointment to guide its UK residential foray.
LinkedIn’s company page for Sentinel Real Estate confirms a similar AUM figure of $9.3 billion as of June 2025, with a focus on multifamily and commercial assets.
Why Did Sentinel Choose Ben Sanderson?
Michael Streicker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sentinel, provided clear rationale in the Business Wire announcement. He said: “Ben’s extensive track record in UK and European institutional real estate, combined with his deep understanding of the living sector, makes him the ideal choice to establish Sentinel’s UK platform.”
Streicker added: “We have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Ben that dates back more than 15 years. His proven ability to expand and build new lines of business and his established reputation within the institutional investment community will be invaluable as we bring Sentinel’s integrated living expertise to the UK market.”
This endorsement aligns with Sanderson’s profile, positioning him to leverage Sentinel’s global multifamily prowess in the UK context.
What Opportunities Does the UK Living Sector Offer?
The timing is propitious, as Sanderson’s work comes at a time when the UK is especially attractive for investment due to significant housing shortages, per Business Wire.
Several sub-asset classes – such as build-to-rent (BTR), single-family homes, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), and senior living – offer strong investment opportunities across the country.
Sanderson himself articulated the appeal: “The UK living sector represents a compelling investment opportunity, given the significant undersupply of high-quality, affordable rental housing units and the still nascent nature of institutional penetration in the market,” as quoted in the press release. He continued: “I look forward to building upon Sentinel’s proven track record as a global multifamily investor and operator to provide a vertically integrated investment solution to meet the growing demand for professionally managed rental housing across the UK.”
CRE Herald’s brief report on 12 January 2026 frames this as Sentinel entering the UK living market with a senior hire to establish the platform.
Where Will the Platform Operate?
Based in Sentinel’s new London office, Sanderson will oversee the establishment of the fully integrated investment platform. This marks a physical expansion, with London serving as the hub for UK operations.
A LinkedIn post by Sarah Marx on 12 January 2026 noted this as the New York-based manager opening its first investment office in London.
Sentinel’s existing corporate presence in the UK is enhanced by this dedicated living sector focus.
How Does This Fit Sentinel’s Global Strategy?
Sentinel’s vertically integrated model, proven in managing 29,000+ units worldwide, is key to its UK ambitions. The firm’s experience in multifamily and diversified living funds positions it well for BTR and PBSA.
With offices in Australia and the Netherlands alongside the US, this UK platform extends Sentinel’s international footprint, targeting institutional clients seeking exposure to high-demand residential assets.
The appointment signals confidence in scaling operations akin to its US core-plus multifamily fund, now rebranded as Sentinel Diversified Living Fund.
What Has Media Coverage Said?
Multiple outlets have covered the story promptly. Business Wire led with the full press release on 12 January 2026, detailing all quotes and firm stats.
Yahoo Finance republished key elements the same day, focusing on the seasoned professional spearheading expansion.
PERE News broke it slightly earlier on 11 January 2026, highlighting the London office leadership.
CRE Herald confirmed the senior hire for the UK living platform on 12 January 2026.
Social media buzz, including Sarah Marx’s LinkedIn post, amplified the London office opening narrative.
No conflicting reports emerged; coverage uniformly portrays this as a bullish move into a supply-constrained market.
Implications for the UK Real Estate Market
This launch arrives against a backdrop of persistent undersupply, where institutional investors like Sentinel can address gaps in professionally managed rentals. By deploying its 800-employee platform, Sentinel aims to elevate standards in BTR and PBSA.
For professionals eyeing Real Estate opportunities, understanding such institutional strategies is crucial. Imperial Training offers tailored Real Estate courses to equip corporate teams with insights into market dynamics, investment platforms, and regulatory navigation in the UK.