From Valuation to Vision: Jo Winchester and the Astounding New Data Strengthening the Case for Co-Living
In the latest episode of the Reinventing Real Estate podcast, hosts Jenna and Jamie Harris sit down with Jo Winchester, Co-living and PBSA consultant,
executive coach, and former Executive Director in Valuation at CBRE, to explore why Co-living has emerged as one of the most important solutions in the UK’s living sector.
Drawing on more than two decades of experience across valuation, student accommodation and the wider living sectors, Jo brings a rare combination of
analytical rigour and strategic insight to the conversation. From her early career in PBSA to becoming one of the sector’s most thoughtful voices on Co-living, she explains why the product should no longer be viewed as a niche trend, but as an essential response to the way people live today.
At a time when single-person households are rising, affordability is under increasing pressure and the supply of smaller homes has failed to keep pace
with modern living patterns, Jo makes the case for co-living as a vital part of the housing solution. The episode examines the data and demand drivers
underpinning the sector, the planning narratives required to unlock delivery, and the need for a more locally grounded, evidence-led approach to demonstrating demand.
Jo also offers expert commentary on valuation, including the nuances between sui generis and C1 co-living models, and reflects on why policy and industry must work more collaboratively if the UK is serious about addressing its housing crisis without stalling the delivery pipeline.
Beyond the numbers, the conversation moves into leadership and career development, as Jo shares insights from her work as an executive coach. She
reflects on fulfilment, values, progression and the importance of helping real estate professionals navigate change with greater self-awareness, clarity and confidence.
This episode is a must-listen for capital investors, developers and living-sector professionals seeking a sharper understanding of co-living’s long-term role in the market, the structural affordability pressures driving demand, and the human side of building a meaningful career in real estate.
“Jo brings a hugely valuable perspective to the conversation because she understands both the numbers and the people behind them,” said Jenna Harris, Co-Host of Reinventing Real Estate. “This episode gets to the heart of why co-living matters, not just as an investment product, but as a practical and increasingly necessary housing solution for modern urban living.”
With a blend of market insight, planning strategy and personal reflection, the episode offers a compelling perspective on one of the living sector’s most
dynamic areas of growth, while also asking bigger questions about how the industry can better support both residents and professionals in a rapidly changing market.Listeners can tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube:
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Key topics include:
• Jo’s journey from PBSA valuation into co-living
• The data and demand drivers underpinning the sector
• Planning strategy, local storytelling and making the case for co-living
• Affordability, single-person households and the shortage of small homes
• Valuing sui generis versus C1 co-living models
• Leadership, coaching and career fulfilment in real estate
• Why policy and industry need to work more closely together
About Jo Winchester
Jo Winchester is a co-living and PBSA consultant, executive coach, and former Executive Director in Valuation at CBRE. With more than 20 years of experience across the living sectors, she now advises on co-living needs assessments and supports real estate professionals through coaching focused on leadership, transition and career development.