Neil Burton is an executive leader in residential real estate, behavioural science and human-centred design. As Managing Director of Collegiate UK, he leads one of the country’s largest purpose-built student accommodation platforms, overseeing 11,000 units across 21 cities. His leadership has driven brand reinvention, operational innovation and resident experience as part of Collegiate’s expansion under Arlington Group. Previously, Neil held strategic roles at global operators including Greystar and Round Hill Capital, where he led CX transformation and built scalable operating platforms across Europe. He is recognised for harmonising investor expectations with resident needs—shaping living environments that are commercially successful because of their alignment with resident behaviour. Neil holds an MSc in Behavioural Science from Henley Business School, where his research explored how the built environment influences psychological development during Emerging Adulthood. His approach integrates systems thinking, psychological safety, and reflexive leadership to design more ethical and effective real estate experiences. He advises digital asset management and living sector start-ups, supporting innovation at the intersection of property operations, technology, and human behaviour.
