Katherine Russell, a former John Lewis Partnership (JLP) property executive, has established a new consultancy called Lived. The launch comes after John Lewis withdrew from the build-to-rent sector.
Russell, who previously led John Lewis's move into residential lettings, will advise property investors, developers, and operators on investment strategy, portfolio performance, and management. She has already secured an institutional investment manager as her first major client, whose identity has not been disclosed.
John Lewis abandoned its build-to-rent plans in February 2026, citing rising borrowing costs, construction expenses, and difficult market conditions. Russell had spent almost 20 years at John Lewis, developing an operating platform that managed nearly 1,000 homes across locations including Leeds, Leicester, Birmingham, and Stratford.
Russell noted that difficult investment conditions are pressuring residential operators, stating that "Capital is selective and viability is stretched." She added that operating businesses require investment and scale to succeed.