David Taylor: Hello! What have you been doing? I understand Tipi is no more, as of last month, and that the new nomenclature is Quintain Living. How were you approached to take on this role as its chief exec?  I think you've only been in post for a month or so, is that right?

Danielle Bayless: Well technically, I've only been in post since the 5th of October. I did have integration via Zoom calls and what not from the States before I arrived but believe it or not the visa process has gotten quite complicated with Covid, so it took a little longer to get here then I think anyone anticipated. But I'm thrilled to finally be here and getting my feet wet in the UK! 

DT: How did you your head hunting – I presume – happen?

DB: I have a former colleague in the industry from the US who is at LoneStar, who kind of made the connection and helped me get in front of the right people here at Quintain 

DT: What are your immediate thoughts about the different markets over in California and London? 

DB: As far as the Build to Rent (BTR) goes? I think what I’m finding is that while the BTR market here is obviously much younger than the market in the US,  in tenure and maturity, it's really robust and it's exciting and the product that they're building here at Wembley Park is second to none in the US. It’s an amazing product and an amazing place. The neighbourhood that they have created here is really remarkable and frankly pretty rare in the US. It’s a very unusual setup and really well executed. I think the biggest differences would be in some of the technology and the processes and things like that. And I think that's my opportunity – to really come over and help optimise them and drive the business from that kind of process. To just get into the details and find those opportunities to really drive the business. 

DT: You mentioned that Wembley is very different to some of the environments you are used to back home. How so? How does the offer differ? And when did you first go to the site actually? 

DB: Several months ago, during the interview process I did get the opportunity to come over and visit the site, and I was so impressed. Like I said, from tip to stern, what they've created here is just really this amazing combination of big city convenience and boutique neighbourhood. And I just think it's been really well executed. I think where it stands out to anything in the US – or most of what's in the US – is just the scope. You have one company that developed and is in control of this entire estate and can really curate every angle and aspect of what your experience is for your residents, and for your new customers. So it's a very unique set up here to have this much under the control of one company and to really be able to stay on top of every aspect of what touches the customer and what they experience.

Ferrum 

DT: To what degree do you think renting is the future for London?

DB: I think it's absolutely the future, from what I can tell – that similarly probably to the US home buying is quite expensive and not available to everyone. And so having a beautiful product and people who don't feel like they're having to sacrifice if they choose to rent and giving them great offerings like this I think will only enhance that experience for everyone. 

DT: What do you see as the main challenges that you might face over the next six months, a year, five years, in in terms of the London market?

DB: Oh, goodness! Well, I mean obviously right now we're enjoying a period of time where we don't have a lot of direct competition from a lot of BTR products in the market.  We’re leading the way, so to speak, from that aspect. There are certainly some lovely communities, but just not a high density of them. That will certainly change over time. I'm sure there will be more and more, so staying on the cutting edge of technology and resident experience and looking for those opportunities to really refine your proposition I think will always be a challenge in a growing, accelerating market like this one.

DT: What are your general thoughts on coming to London at the moment in this quite weird time? (laughs). I mean, presumably you have been wandering around the central zone as well and seeing how odd that is currently given Covid etc? What are your thoughts?

DB: (laughs) Well, you’re catching me literally on day three of freedom! I was in self-isolation until Friday, and so I literally just got to spend my first weekend outside of my lovely Quintain Living apartment home…