About Us
Why Join the Forum?
The R&B Housebuilders Forum was created to give SME housebuilders a stronger, unified voice. By joining, you become part of a national network that connects small and medium-sized builders with government, industry leaders, and organisations such as the APPG for SME Housebuilders, the Regional Building Foundation, as well as the I Am a Housebuilder initiative championing greater diversity within the sector. The Forum champions the issues that matter most to SME housebuilders, ensuring these are heard at the highest levels.
Membership offers a unique platform to share best practice and experience, learn from peers, and collaborate with leading brands across the supply chain, including multinational, award-winning names such as VELUX, Hansgrohe, and STARK.
By joining the Forum, you’re not just connecting with others, you’re helping shape the future of SME housebuilding.
Vision:
Our aim is to reverse the decline of small and medium sized housebuilders.
Mission:
Giving Regional and Bespoke Housebuilders a larger voice within the industry to facilitate change. Levelling the playing field, sharing market intelligence, innovations and market insights.
Our People
Edwin de Silva
Founder
Edwin has four decades of experience across the building and construction sector and has held senior leadership roles in major national and multinational materials suppliers. A passionate advocate for small and medium-sized builders and for women in construction, Edwin actively supports several industry initiatives, including the Regional Building Foundation: a partnership between The King’s Foundation and the University of the Built Environment. He is a non-executive director in The Developers Club and currently serves as Secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for SME Housebuilders helping to amplify the voices of smaller developers in national housing policy discussions. Edwin founded the R&B Housebuilders Forum in the early days of lockdown in 2020.
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Anna Geffert
Director
Anna is Managing Director and Founder of HERA Communication Strategies, which she founded in 2019, following 12 years working for global PR and marketing agencies in London. HERA offers a strategic approach which spans social media, thought leadership research, public relations and public affairs and the team includes a Dr of Economics from Oxford University and a former Parliamentary Minister. The business has always specialised in housebuilding and real estate, counting some of the UK’s most renowned and innovative housebuilders as clients, including The Hill Group and gs8. Anna was proud to be President of Women in PR, an award-winning membership organisation dedicated to helping more women into senior leadership roles. She now sits on the Board of Global Women in PR.
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Aaron de Silva
Director
Aaron is the Business Development Director at Close Brothers Property Finance, bringing over 13 years of experience in the property and house building industry. His career began in property agencies, including a key role in the Residential Development department at Knight Frank in London. He later established the Southern office for a now nationally recognized law firm, showcasing his entrepreneurial drive. For the past five years, Aaron has focused on the finance side of the industry, helping SME developers access tailored property development finance solutions. He holds the CFA UK’s Investment Management Certificate (IMC) and the CISI Investment Advice Diploma in Retail Advice & Planning. Aaron has a reputation for building strong, long-term relationships with clients and is passionate about helping micro, small, and medium-sized developers succeed, taking the time to understand what truly motivates each person and business. This insight allows him to provide genuinely tailored and meaningful support.
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