.jpg)
Andrew Howarth
Assistant Director
Andrew has over 23 years of experience in the field of Higher Education student accommodation. He has successfully managed large teams of c. 100 staff members in both city and campus universities. With extensive expertise in residential strategies, Andrew has collaborated with private student providers, facilities management, student well-being, and residential life teams, ensuring exceptional student experience and well-being support. Additionally, Andrew has an extensive record of catering and summer letting in halls, stakeholder engagement, policy writing, restructuring residence teams and compliance within the Higher Education sector.
Passionate about enhancing the student experience, Andrew has been invited to speak at renowned conferences such as CUBO, StarRez, Property Week, and other prominent industry events and as a judge in award panels. Notably, he introduced and developed the Residential Life Program and Wellbeing program at the University of London while a Director, further solidifying its reputation as a leader in student accommodation.
Andrew assists Robert within SFG's University Advisory team, providing services to Higher Education clients.
JOURNEY
Andrew's career journey includes a 10-year tenure at the University of London, where he rose from Deputy Head of Residential Accommodation to the position of Director of Residential Services, overseeing a portfolio of approximately 3,500 bedrooms. Andrew also managed as a Director a private landlord letting and housing advice service utilized by the 17 Federation Members of the University and other Higher Education institutions in London.
Furthermore, Andrew has actively collaborated with various universities in London, playing a pivotal role in a group of university student accommodation Directors and Heads through CUBO and engaging with charity student accommodation providers via the LASAN network. Andrews's contributions have extended to serving on university committees and providing regular reports to the university's Estates Committee. As part of a group of universities and developers, he has met with the GLA to report on how the London Plan could be improved.
Prior to the University of London, Andrew spent 12 years at the University of Sussex. His responsibilities encompassed managing off-street properties, overseeing the housing office, and effectively managing student halls at that time, c.800 beds. As Residential Operations Manager, where he led a large in-house team of managers, porters, cleaners, and handypersons, ensuring the seamless functioning of student accommodation.
Andrew has played a crucial role at both universities in the procurement, specification, and facility management requirements of around ten student developments. In addition, his expertise and leadership have been instrumental in the successful completion of seven new halls of residence (latest development £105m), three of which were achieved through partnerships with the private sector. Andrew's professional journey began with Whitbread, where he worked as a relief manager across southern England. This early hospitality and catering experience has given Andrew a unique perspective and valuable insights into delivering exceptional services.