Who we are
Who we are | What we do | How we work
Who we are
The British Property Federation is a membership organisation devoted to representing the interests of all those involved in property ownership and investment.
We aim to create the conditions in which the commercial property industry can grow and thrive, for the benefit of our members and of the economy as a whole.
Because our membership includes the biggest companies in the property industry - property developers and owners, institutions, fund managers, investment banks and professional organisations that support the industry - we are able to provide the knowledge and expertise needed by legislators and regulators.
Our objectives
Our objectives are:
- to raise further the profile of the property industry with political stakeholders, the media, and the public
- to obtain for the industry legislative, fiscal and regulatory conditions that maximise its success and so enhance the benefits the industry can bring to the UK
- to encourage best practice within the industry as a means of increasing long term value and improving stakeholder perception.
More information on our objectives, strategies and targets is given in our Three year strategy 2006-2008.
What we do
We have built excellent working relationships with government departments and other regulatory bodies that deal with property, providing them with the industry view. We are consulted by these bodies and work with them to produce legislation, regulations and policies that are helpful to the industry and to improve or change those that aren't.
Our successes in recent years include persuading government to introduce real estate investment trusts (REITs), dissuading it from the introduction of legislation on commercial leases and achieving a number of significant changes to planning legislation and regulation.
We are also working to raise the profile and reputation of the industry with key non-governmental organisations, local and regional decision makers, the press and media, the professions and the wider public. We do this through a proactive media programme, through the promotion of best practice within and beyond the industry and through active participation in conferences, events and seminars all aimed at telling the industry's story to the wider world.
Lobbying government
Legislation and regulations are a crucial factor in the industry's success. Our main activity, therefore, is lobbying government and other regulators, to increase their understanding of the property industry, to encourage them to include us in their decision-making activities and, ultimately, to achieve supportive legislative, fiscal and regulatory conditions.
Our members can help the government deliver many of its policies, particularly those involving urban regeneration, sustainable communities, social inclusion, tax-efficient property investment, savings and pensions reform, sustainability and environmental improvement.
To achieve our lobbying objective we:
- build relationships with key decision makers in government and in the non-governmental organisations that take decisions affecting the property industry
- create opportunities to represent the views of our members with such decision makers, both formally and informally
- consult with government about proposed legislation affecting the property industry, and contribute written submissions, backed up by frequent meetings with ministers, advisers and senior officials
- use the goodwill and understanding generated through this participation to achieve active involvement in setting the policy agenda for property in the UK
- work closely with organisations representing other sectors of the property industry to provide a co-ordinated voice for the industry as a whole
- work collaboratively with NGOs and other professional and trade bodies in developing the guidance and tools necessary to meet emerging regulation
- participate in policy-based research to inform and influence those who create policies.
How we work
We rely hugely on our members' input, involving them in the setting of policy and in responding to consultations. Through us, members can help the Government and other policy makers to create and implement their policies. We have found that we can have far more influence when we work with, rather than against, those who take the decisions.
We also work closely with other representative organisations - including the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Investment Property Forum, British Council for Offices, Home Builders Federation, British Council for Shopping Centres, Confederation of British Industry and British Retail Consortium - where there are advantages to be gained from pooling our resources or from lobbying in a collective, co-ordinated way.
For a brief overview of our current concerns, see our What we do section. BPF members who are logged into the site can follow the issues in more detail by going to the Committees part of the Members section.