News & Insights

Reunite, Reconnect, Rediscover: Your Class Anniversary Starts Here Bring your cohort back together and reignite the power of your network.Are you approaching a milestone in the history of your graduating class? Sometimes looking back can remind us of how far we have come and help us build for the future. Perhaps you are looking to get together again so see how everyone is getting along after five,

This month we hear from Rohit Venkateshan, an emerging professional who has already made a meaningful contribution to the industry through both his work and commitment to the community. He reflects on his early career journey, the opportunities and challenges shaping the sector today, and the satisfaction he has found in supporting initiatives that help broaden participation in the Real Estate Ind

Departmental NewsComplete University Guide 2027 RankingThe university of Reading leads, retaining number one in Land & Property Management in the Complete University Guide 2027 ranking and number 13 in Town & Country Planning and Landscape Design (new entry). Overall, the University is 43 in the UK out of 130 institutions ranked. The Complete University Guide 2027 in full is available online.On Tu

125 students • 22 teams • 10 Dragons • 3 Winning Teams • 1 Grand ChampionOn Tuesday, 12th May 2026, undergraduate students specialising in Real Estate and Planning took part in the Dragons’ Den 2026 competition, the culmination of Henley Business School’s Real Estate Entrepreneurship and Technology (RE2ENT) module. Led by Dr Matteo Borghi, Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, th

"An evening of reconnection, reflection, and renewed purpose" Edward Ng reflecting on the recent Henley Alumni Association Malaysia Annual Dinner in collaboration with Henley Business School Malaysia.The dinner was a wonderful evening of connection, celebration, and community spirit, bringing together alumni, students, and friends of Henley Business School Malaysia. Set against the enchanting back

We are saddened to hear of the passing of prominent alumnus Marjan Minnesma, who graduated from Henley in 1993.Marjan went on to become one of Europe’s most influential voices in climate action and sustainability having been named 'most influential person in the field of sustainability’ in the Netherlands in three consecutive years (2011-2013) by newspaper Trouw. As the founder and director of the

Yash Kothari, Henley Business School graduate, reflects on his journey and how Henley shaped his career and mindset.Being an alumnus of Henley Business School has genuinely been a turning point in my journey. Before joining Henley, I had already spent five years working with Coca-Cola in India. Walking away from a stable job to go back into academics wasn’t an easy decision at all. I had a lot of

Departmental NewsPresentation at the World Bank Land and Property conferenceOn 1 May, Dr Xiaolun Yu, Lecturer of Real Estate Finance delivered a presentation at the 2026 World Bank Land and Property Research Conference, a global premier venue to discuss research and innovations to land governance, featuring a keynote by Prof. Daron Acemoglu (MIT), 2024 Nobel Laureate in Economics. Xiaolun presente

We are proud to recognise this year’s Mentor and Mentee of the Year, celebrating their commitment, support, and remarkable achievements.In 2025 the competition for these awards was very strong and two mentors were selected to share the accolade, alongside our Mentee of the Year. Both mentors were overseas - a testament to the powerful international element of our mentoring programme – which meant

This month we hear from Mark Ridley, one of RREF’s longest‑standing supporters and a leading figure in the global real estate industry. He reflects on his remarkable career journey, the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, and the satisfaction he has found in supporting the built environment over more than four decades.After graduating from the University of Reading in 1984, Mark traine

The RREF Recognition Evening was a special occasion dedicated to celebrating the hard work, achievements, and contributions of those who continue to make a positive impact.More than 100 supporters and students gathered in London for this year’s RREF Recognition Evening, celebrating the profound impact of RREF and the community that makes our work possible. Hosted generously by Stephenson Harwood,

IDEAFEST 2026 Business Idea Competition Winners AnnouncedThe Henley Enterprise Lab (HELAB) at Henley Business School, University of Reading, has announced the winners of the IDEAFEST 2026 Business Idea Competition, its flagship annual initiative celebrating entrepreneurial innovation and commercial potential.IDEAFEST is designed to identify and support the most promising business ideas capable of

Dr. Narendra Laljani, Executive Fellow and Programme Director, explores the merits of a mindset shift from authority to ambidexterity in the age of AI.In 1970, futurist Alvin Toffler warned in Future Shock that accelerating rates of change would leave us overwhelmed and disoriented, and unsure how to respond. That future has arrived.What we are living through now is not simply another wave of inno

What began as a single extra-curricular event back in November became perhaps the most formative professional experience of my career to date.  I am a first-year Business and Management student at Henley Business School.  I secured an internship with Exactimo, a business education company, following attendance at their Digital Skills Boot Camp at Henley Business School in November.  This article r

Today we share a story from MBA Alum - Amru Kotb. What started at Henley became a career shaped by trust, human understanding, and the resilience to make change in complex industries.Since graduating from Henley, my career has focused on helping organizations grow and transform, mainly in cybersecurity and data protection. I’ve worked with companies like Oracle and Giesecke & Devrient, and today I

Departmental NewsMeet our Real Estate Finance Modelling Club Founders (REFMC)Jonah Horne and Dylan Rodwell are MSc Real Estate Finance students who, since arriving at the University, have been sharing their investment modelling experience gained from industry with fellow students through the newly formed REFMC. Over 40 undergraduate and postgraduate students from across Henley Business School conv

This month we hear from Julian Carey, who graduated from his MSc at Henley in 2004. He discusses his career journey, challenges and opportunities ahead and the joy of working in the Real Estate Industry.I graduated from the University of Reading MSc course in 2004 before joining JLL on their graduate recruitment programme, qualifying as a surveyor in 2006. After a few years at LaSalle Investment M

Today we share the inspiring story from Alum Edward Ng, who shares his experience in becoming louder in voicing his ideas and the confidence Henley gave him to do this.When I enrolled at Henley Business School - University of Reading Malaysia campus - in 2016, I did not arrive with a clear plan or a defined ambition. I was a boy from Skudai, Johor Bahru, raised in a family where money was never op

We hear from Felix Fiennes, who completed an incredible fundraising challenge for The George Fiennes Memorial Bursary, awarded each year to one or more students studying Real Estate & Planning at Henley Business School.  Read on to find out more about his Arctic Marathon, fundraising experience and why he chose to raise funds for RREF.Running my first marathon was always going to be memorable, but

Martin Beck-Burridge ScholarshipThe Beck-Burridge Scholarship was created in memory of Professor Martin Beck-Burridge and supports academic excellence on our MSc Management course. It enables the 20 highest achieving Henley Business School students on the International Applied Challenge module to attend a study trip, which last year was held at Alba Graduate Business School in Athens.The trip offe