Founders story
In the summer of 1988, on the sun-kissed shores of Barbados, two young estate agents found themselves at a pivotal moment in their lives. Warren and Nigel were both on their honeymoons, blissfully unaware that this chance encounter would spark a partnership that would shape their careers for decades to come. Although they had heard of each other through the grapevine of the real estate world—Warren as a partner in an agency serving Edgware, Elstree, Radlett, and Woodside Park, and Nigel as an agent in Hampstead—they had never actually met until that fateful day on the beach.
Later that same year, Nigel took a bold step and established a development business, focusing on refurbishing single flats and houses to start with. Driven by a passion for transforming properties into beautiful living spaces, this leap into the unknown marked the beginning of a new chapter. As this new venture began to take shape, Warren was also making significant moves in his career. In 1995, he lent his expertise to Nigel to help sell some development sites, solidifying their budding professional relationship.
By 2001, Warren had exited his agency business, Village Estates, to pursue his own residential development venture, Village Homes. Their collaboration deepened as they engaged in numerous property deals together—buying and selling over the phone with nothing more than a virtual handshake to seal their agreements. This informal approach fostered a sense of trust and camaraderie that would become the hallmark of their partnership.
In 2005, they took the next big step by sharing office space. With two front doors—one for Village Homes and another for Henry Home —they created a dynamic environment for collaboration. They recognized a gap in the market for large high-end residential apartments aimed at empty nesters looking to downsize from spacious homes. This insight led them to form Fusion Residential as a joint venture.
The following year proved pivotal for Warren when he seized an opportunity to purchase a building owned by the NHS. He bought it unconditionally, secured planning permission, and redeveloped it into a purpose-built high-end student accommodation scheme in Bristol, providing 343 beds. This venture was not without its challenges; they navigated the complexities of financing through senior debt, mezzanine funding, and support from friends and family—anyone willing to lend a pound! The lessons learned during the tumultuous 2007/2008 financial crisis were invaluable and shaped their approach moving forward.
In 2009, Warren’s company acquired a disused bingo hall in Old Hatfield Town. After obtaining planning permission, they developed and sold it successfully—again relying on senior debt and support from their network. By this time, they had recognised that well-designed high-spec purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) was in short supply across the UK.
In 2012, fuelled by their shared vision and complementary skills, Warren and Nigel put their mantra “think big” into play and made the strategic decision to combine their efforts fully. They founded Fusion Students with the ambition of becoming the largest and best PBSA developer and operator in the UK. Their first project—a striking 18-storey tower in Bristol—boasted 483 beds and was financed through senior debt, mezzanine funding, and an ever-expanding circle of supporters.
As Fusion Students grew, so did their reputation within the industry. What began as a dealer’s mentality evolved into a recognised and trusted business within institutional circles. Their focus on creating unique living experiences through thoughtful design and hospitality set them apart from competitors.
Above all else, they prioritized culture within their organization. This commitment to fostering an inspiring work environment allowed them to attract top talent and build lasting relationships with partners.
Today, Fusion Group stands as a testament to what can be achieved when two like-minded individuals come together with passion, vision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Their journey from that chance meeting on a beach in Barbados to becoming leaders in the student accommodation sector is filled with growth, resilience, and shared success.
In January 2025 Warren stepped back from his operational executive role within the group to focus on spending more time with his family and his other business interests, whilst remaining deeply committed to the fusion group
Now with Nigel leading a strong team that together they have built, he is excited about Fusions future growth.
Warren & Nigel remain close friends and whilst Warren is not involved in the Fusion business day to day, he remains dedicated to it’s success by continuing to be a strong sounding board to Nigel as well as an active investor through his unchanged shareholding and Substantial financial investment.
