The Scottish Property Federation is to become part of a rebranded organisation after members agreed almost unanimously to merge with other organisations representing the sector’s interests.

The SPF, the British Property Federation (BPF), the Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF), and the Investment Property Forum (IPF) will come together as Real Estate UK, or RE:UK.

It will serve the entire real estate sector, including institutional and private investors, property companies, developers, asset owners, managers and advisers.

Melanie Leech, chief executive of the BPF, will step down along with the other officials and the chairs of AREF, the BPF and the IPF will work together to appoint a CEO and chair for the new board.

The change is expected to take place early next year, though in Scotland it will be delayed until after the Scottish elections in May.

Anne Breen, chair of AREF, said that the positive response from the memberships was a strong endorsement of the vision for a single, amplified voice for the real estate sector.

Clare Thomas, chair of the IPF, said: “This is the culmination of significant work across all three organisations, and we look forward to the launch of RE:UK in 2026 as an important step forward for the real estate industry.”

The move comes as the SPF released its Scottish elections manifesto in which it renewed a call for partnership and collaboration with the government.

Chair, Jonathan Guthrie, said the Scottish Government and the real estate sector can work together to drive commercial growth, unlock urban regeneration and “engage in meaningful and constructive dialogue around tax and regulation and improving development viability”.

This includes how a renewed partnership approach could meet the challenge of increased demand for industrial space and data centres, plus how the work undertaken on stalled housing sites is contributing towards housing targets.

At the SPF annual dinner in Edinburgh David Peck, managing director of Buccleuch Property, received the lifetime honorary membership award.