Osborne Clarke has become a legal partner of the UK PropTech Association (UKPA).
UKPA is a not-for-profit membership organisation set up to drive the digital transformation of the property industry by promoting engagement between PropTech and Property businesses, and creating an environment conducive for PropTech innovation.
Osborne Clarke and UKPA's priorities for 2021 are closely aligned. Both organisations have AI and digital solutions at their core and both work at the confluence of the technology and real estate sectors.
UKPA has identified three major issues in 2021 which could enable PropTech to devise solutions and provide significant growth opportunities for technology and real estate companies. These complement Osborne Clarke's three Transformation Drivers of Decarbonisation, Digitalisation and Urban Dynamics.
UKPA's focus on the housing crisis, and the need to speed up construction and planning, aligns with the work of Osborne Clarke's Urban Dynamics team and, in particular its Future of Living team. This team focuses on residential development opportunities and the growth of Alternative Residential including build to rent (BTR), senior living and co-living schemes.
Climate change and the need to decarbonise is very high on UKPA's agenda. Osborne Clarke's decarbonisation team advises companies on the regulatory environment and the financial incentives available to help move toward net zero.
Osborne Clarke's long established Smart Cities team brings together digital innovation in property, infrastructure, transport and energy. This complements UKPA's third focus for 2021 which is productivity, and the opportunities that digitalisation and AI provide to streamline business and boost efficiently and profitability.
Jonathan Mills, Osborne Clarke's transformation manager for Urban Dynamics and associate director in the real estate team, commented: "PropTech has been a focus for our real estate and tech teams since before the phrase was coined. It can provide the most incredible solutions to infrastructure, energy, building design and planning efficiency. 20 years ago we were the first UK law firm to open an office in Silicon Valley. We now advise some of the world's most exciting tech start-ups as well as many of the world's biggest technology giants. Partnering with UKPA was the logical next step and we are looking forward to an exciting 2021."
Sammy Pahal, managing director at UK PropTech Association: "We are delighted to have such a prestigious and forward thinking legal firm on board as one of our partners. Osborne Clarke's focus is very much aligned with our plans for 2021 and the expertise that they have on areas such as decarbonisation, digitalisation and urban dynamics, will provide value to our community and lend itself well to the discussions we will be driving in 2021."
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