Strategic Partnerships: Potter Raper shares its expertise at Future of London

On Thursday 24 September 2026, our Managing Director Robert Humphrey and Partnerships Director Claire Flowers presented to the Future of London network on the question: What is a strategic partnership?

For councils and housing providers looking to move beyond single contracts, a strategic partnership can offer a longer-term route to delivering new homes and places. Getting it right, however, depends on decisions made well before a partner is appointed.

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What we discussed

Rob and Claire covered:

What defines a strategic partnership and how it differs from a one-off development deal
Why public and private sector organisations choose this route, and what each partner gains
The options for selecting a partner, from framework partnerships to investment partnerships and joint ventures
The essentials for success, and the challenges partners need to manage
Case studies from partnerships delivering new homes, community facilities and a new primary school

The key message was that successful partnerships are shaped early, through clear objectives, early engagement with the right stakeholders and sound professional advice.

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The experience behind the advice

Robert has been with Potter Raper since 2002 and chairs several joint venture partnership boards, most notably the partnership between Peabody and Berkeley Homes for the delivery of approximately 2,000 homes in Thamesmead. He also sits on the Future of London Expert Panel, providing specialist advice to London boroughs on construction-related matters, and represents Potter Raper on the Bank of England Decision Maker Panel.

Claire brings more than 20 years of experience in the housing sector. She works with clients to explore different delivery routes, then set up and deliver successful partnerships, across both the public and private sectors, including Local Authorities, Housing Associations and the GLA. She led the Cambridge Investment Partnership, an equal partnership between Cambridge City Council and Hill Investment Partnerships, which won Development Team of the Year at the Inside Housing Awards 2021.

Potter Raper is also an industry partner of Future of London’s Council-Led Housing Network.

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Talk to us about partnerships

Whether you are a local authority, housing association or private sector organisation considering a strategic partnership, or exploring the right delivery route for a site or portfolio, our team can support you from the earliest options through to setting up and running the partnership. To arrange a conversation, get in touch – info@potterraper.co.uk