Downing is one of the biggest developers of student accommodation in Britain, operating 5,000 beds in nine UK cities and it wants to help attract more Chinese students to study here. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool property developer Downing has opening an office in the Chinese capital Beijing as it looks to attract more students to study in the UK.
Downing is one of the biggest developers of student accommodation in Britain, operating 5,000 beds in nine cities including Liverpool London, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Newcastle.
The business also has a further 4,000 beds in the pipeline across the country.
There are currently 90,000 Chinese students studying in the UK and Downing is keen to strengthen its presence in China by engaging with this fast-growing group of international students keen to study in the UK.
As part of its growth in the country, the company has appointed a new China project manager, Jingjing Xu, to assist and engage students.
Jingjing has over a decade of experience in the student sector and joins Downing from a role with further education and English language provider Oxford International Education Group.
She will be based in Beijing and will visit cities across China to connect with students and help them to easily access and arrange their student accommodation in the UK.
“Travelling away from home for the first time can be daunting, particularly when you’re moving to another country.
“It’s great to be in the position to be able to use my professional and personal experience to make that transition easier for students and provide them with advice on UK cities, student life and student accommodation,” she said.
Anne Lodge, chief executive of Downing Students, added: “This is a key market for the business and having a permanent presence in Beijing will enable us to easily engage and connect with current and potential students to help to support them in their accommodation journey.”