Speakers
Frederic de Ryckman de Betz
Session
Hear from our panel of industry operators as they share their insights on the biggest challenges and emerging opportunities facing the industry. As the sector experiences rapid transformation driven by advancements in technology, evolving sustainability expectations, and a new generation of customers, our panellists will explore what these changes mean for operators of all sizes. Whether you’re just getting started or scaling up, this session will offer practical takeaways to help future-proof your operations in a changing landscape. Are you ready for the future of self storage?
Frederic de Ryckman de Betz is the Chair of our immensely popular and engaging Technology and Innovation Sector Forum. Having founded his own self storage business in 2008, Fred has experience in every part of the business from financing, site finding & viability assessments, through construction to operations. Under Fred’s leadership, the business he founded won numerous awards including several industry awards for a variety of initiatives, including innovation.
A former director and Chairman of the SSA UK (and Vice President of FEDESSA), Fred has spoken at numerous conferences both at home and abroad on a variety of topics. The business he founded was the first in the UK to introduce online check-in & account management in 2016, and the first to introduce electronic locks throughout a store in 2020. Join our well-liked, well-regarded thought-leader and innovator as he continues to explore new opportunities for growth and innovation in the self storage space.
Neil Newman-Shepherd has over 20 years’ experience of developing, operating and selling landmark, institutional grade assets in the UK self-storage market. His extensive experience spans Business Strategy, Site Selection, Development, Branding and Marketing, Sales & Operations as well as Third-Party Management, Investor Relations, and Corporate Finance.
Last year, as Managing Director of Lok’nStore, Neil led the deal team that successfully sold the business to Shurgard for £385m, delivering significant investor return.
Currently Neil is consulting for Institutional Investors and Operators in the UK and Europe.