Collegiate UK, the student accommodation operator owned by Arlington Advisors, has secured a landmark operational management agreement with St John's College, marking its second partnership with a University of Cambridge college. The deal will see Collegiate UK operate 245 Passivhaus-certified rooms across 39 townhouses at Hinsley Lane, serving students from St John's College, Lucy Cavendish College and Clare Hall.
The prestigious appointment reinforces Collegiate UK's unique position as the only external student accommodation operator working with Cambridge colleges, following its earlier agreement to manage Lucy Cavendish College's 355 rooms at Castle Street. The Castle Street property was acquired from Arlington Advisors in early 2025 through a partnership between Lucy Cavendish College and Macquarie Asset Management, demonstrating the circular relationship between the operator and its parent company's investment strategy.
These Cambridge partnerships align with Collegiate UK's strategic focus on expanding its on-campus accommodation operations, complementing Arlington Advisors' broader growth ambitions within the student housing sector. The announcement follows Arlington's recent appointment by King's College London to manage refurbishment works at its 717-bed Champion Hill estate, bringing Collegiate UK's total operation to 10,405 beds across 34 residencies in 21 cities – with 8,269 of these owned directly by Arlington Advisors.
Neil Burton, Managing Director of Collegiate UK, said: "We are proud to be strengthening our presence at the University of Cambridge through this new partnership with St John's College. The College's commitment to affordability and exceptional build quality - evident in the delivery of these Passivhaus-certified homes - aligns perfectly with our own values. We are passionate about Cambridge and are excited to play a role in delivering an outstanding student experience through high-quality, sustainable accommodation and dedicated on-site support".
- Neil Burton, Managing Director, Collegiate UK
- Collegiate UK - Student accommodation operator
- Arlington Advisors - Student accommodation provider and investment manager, owner of Collegiate UK
- St John's College - University of Cambridge
- Lucy Cavendish College - University of Cambridge
- Clare Hall - University of Cambridge college
- Macquarie Asset Management - Investment partner with Lucy Cavendish College
- King's College London - University partner for Arlington Advisors
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