Be First

What Be First does

Be First (legal entity: BE FIRST (REGENERATION) LTD) is the wholly council-owned urban regeneration arm of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, established in 2018 and headquartered at MAKE IT Barking, 15 Linton Road, Barking. The organisation plans, assembles, develops, and asset-manages a 400-hectare development land portfolio with the stated objective of delivering 50,000 new homes and 20,000 new jobs in the borough by 2037. It operates with 101-250 employees organised into functional teams covering planning and design consultancy, design and sustainability, transport planning, regeneration, commercial and asset management, decant and estate renewal, and engagement and social value. Its live project portfolio is valued at £1bn, with a further £1.5bn-£2bn in pipeline over 10-20 years, including flagship schemes such as Gascoigne Neighbourhood, Town Quay, Abbey Quay, Transport House, Industria, and the £1.83bn Factory District on Thames Road.

The technology stack centres on Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to deliver LBBD's 2030 zero-carbon objectives, supported by proprietary IP including a 2022 Sustainability Framework (Mitigate/Adapt/Regenerate pillars), Design Guidelines, the Becontree Design Code (a DLUHC National Model Design Codes pilot), and an MMC Patternbook used across a buyers club of local authorities. A £1.1bn Designer & Contractor Framework and £35m design services framework codify procurement for 3,500 new homes. Repeat development partnerships span Weston Homes, Wates Residential, Willmott Dixon, Hollybrook, and McLaren; institutional partners include Transport for London, the Greater London Authority, Thames Freeport, and Homes England.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across four streams: development profit reinvestment (proceeds recycled into Council services), asset management of council holdings (commercial properties, shopping centres, land pending redevelopment), turnkey acquisitions from private developers for council delivery, and transaction fees from the GLA Small Sites Small Builders programme. Pricing is explicitly non-commercial, reflecting the entity's council-owned status. Following a February 2025 leadership transition and September 2025 Strategic Plan, Be First is pivoting from direct delivery toward a partnership-led model that packages LBBD's land bank for private and institutional co-developers.

Name

Be First

Legal name

BE FIRST (REGENERATION) LTD

Website

https://befirst.london

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Be First is the council-owned urban regeneration arm of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, planning and delivering 50,000 new homes and 20,000 jobs by 2037 across 400 hectares through in-house design, planning, development management, and public-private partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Urban Regeneration and Real Estate Development

NAICS

Land Subdivision (237210), New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236116)

SIC

Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552), General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Development, Construction & Rehabilitation Programs (BPAIANAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG, Place-Based Initiatives) (BPAIANAE), Residential Affordable Housing Development & Construction (IMAFABAI), Residential Land Development & Subdivision Homebuilding (Build-to-Sell Communities) (IMAFABAL)

Keywords

• Urban regeneration services
• Affordable housing development
• Planning consultancy
• Estate renewal
• Sustainable construction

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Development Profit Reinvestment: Be First generates profit through development projects that is reinvested back into the community to support essential council services such as social care, education, and public services
2. Land Disposal (Small Sites Programme): Be First manages the GLA's Small Sites Small Builders programme on behalf of Barking and Dagenham, making small sites available for sale to small scale builders and developers to facilitate creation of new homes
3. Turnkey Schemes: Be First acquires completed units from private developers on a 'turnkey' basis for delivery to the Council, such as the 62 affordable units at Town Quay from Weston Homes
4. Asset Management: Managing Council assets including commercial properties, shopping centres, and land holdings pending future redevelopment

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Be First is the urban regeneration arm of Barking and Dagenham Council, delivering large-scale residential and commercial development projects (Gascoigne Neighbourhood, Town Quay, Transport House, Industria, The Factory District) alongside in-house professional services including planning and design consultancy, design and sustainability, transport planning, commercial and asset management, and estate renewal. It operates procurement frameworks and a partnership-led model to deliver 50,000 new homes and 20,000 new jobs by 2037 across 400 hectares of development land, reinvesting development profits into local council services.

Product overview

Be First is the urban regeneration arm of Barking and Dagenham Council offering a comprehensive range of regeneration and development services rather than a unified software product. The portfolio comprises large-scale housing developments (Gascoigne Neighbourhood, Town Quay, Transport House), commercial and industrial projects (Industria, The Factory District), and professional services (Planning Consultancy, Design & Sustainability, Transport, Engagement & Social Value, Commercial/Asset Management). Key frameworks include the Designer & Contractor Framework for procuring £1.1bn in construction and the MMC Patternbook for standardised housing supply chain engagement. The organization focuses on delivering 50,000 new homes and 20,000 new jobs by 2037 through direct delivery and public-private partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Industria The UK's first multi-storey stacked industrial scheme providing over 100,000 sq. ft. of industrial floorspace in two connected buildings, offering 45 industrial units for SMEs and flatted factory space with potential employment for up to 300 people.
• The Factory District (Thames Road) A co-living, business and residential district project on Thames Road with gross development value of £1.83bn, planned to deliver 3,500 new homes and 43,000 sqm of industrial floorspace. Phase one (12 Thames Road) is a £58m development of 156 affordable built-to-rent homes across four multi-level residential blocks, co-located with 5,000 sq. m. of light industrial units.
• Gascoigne Neighbourhood One of London's largest regeneration projects delivering high-quality new homes across multiple phases, including 587 homes across Phases 1 and 2, with subsequent blocks delivering 102 homes (Block I) and 124 net zero carbon affordable homes (Block J). Features district heating system, 40% CO2 emissions reduction versus building regulations, and an active travel strategy.
• Town Quay £53m mixed-use development providing 147 newly built apartments (affordable and market sale) and 1,000 sqm of commercial space, with 42% affordable housing. Features three buildings (11-storey and two 7-storey) designed by PRP Architects around a public plaza overlooking Town Quay and River Roding.
• Transport House 149 new sustainably heated homes using air source heat pumps, built with Modern Methods of Construction (60% off-site). Partnership with contractor Hollybrook, second collaboration after the successful Chequers Lane development in 2022.
• Barking Town Centre Regeneration Ten-year regeneration strategy (2020-2030) for Barking town centre including food-focused regeneration linked to City of London's wholesale markets moving to Dagenham Dock, riverside restoration, and redevelopment opportunities including Vicarage Field Shopping Centre.
• Design and Sustainability Services In-house design team providing architecture, urban design, landscape and sustainability expertise across four key areas: strategy, planning, design and guardianship. Manages Be First's Sustainability Framework, Design Guidelines, and Designer Framework.
• Transport and Active Travel Services Transport planning, design and delivery services including transformational transport projects, active travel infrastructure, School Streets programme, cycling route development, and lobbying for better public transport. Works with TfL and government on transport investment.
• Planning and Design Consultancy Proactive town planning consultancy providing site appraisals, planning applications and appeals, CIL and Section 106 agreements, planning policy, regeneration and urban design, and environmental impact assessment services across London and the South East.
• Commercial and Asset Management Services focused on unlocking commercial opportunities, land assembly, delivering modern employment space, managing assets pending redevelopment, and forming public/private partnerships. Manages assets including Heathway Shopping Centre and Travelodge.
• Engagement and Social Value Community engagement services for Be First projects including engagement strategies, longer-term visioning and masterplan engagement, and encouraging social value outputs from partners and contractors. Key projects include Marks Gate, Our Heathway, and Dagenham Village.
• Decant (Estate Renewal) Estate renewal services including leaseholder buybacks and tenant decanting for regeneration schemes, working closely with the Council and Reside (housing management company).
• Designer & Contractor Framework Procurement framework for design and contractor services to deliver 3,500 new high quality and sustainable homes over four years, with estimated construction value of £1.1 billion and design service value of around £35 million.
• Innovative Sites Programme Programme promoting good design on small sites throughout the borough, diversifying the pool of developers, and promoting high standards of sustainability and Modern Methods of Construction. First tranche includes five sites via GLA Small Sites Small Builders portal.

Quantifiable outcome

• Delivered first net zero carbon building in 2024 with 124 affordable homes at Gascoigne
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Weston HomescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWeston Homes is a key development partner for Be First, delivering the £53m Town Quay mixed-use development with 147 new homes and 1,000 sqm of commercial space, and the £350m Abbey Quay riverside urban village. The partnership demonstrates effective private-public collaboration delivering affordable housing alongside market sale housing.
• Wates ResidentialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWates Residential partnered with Be First on Gascoigne West Phase 2, delivering 386 high-quality new homes in one of London's largest regeneration projects. The £165m project marks the completion of the largest phase of the Gascoigne Neighbourhood development.
• Willmott DixoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWillmott Dixon served as contractor for the 124 affordable net zero carbon homes at Gascoigne, Be First's first net zero carbon building. The partnership has delivered over 558 homes together (434 previously + 124 new).
• HollybrookcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHollybrook partnered with Be First on the Transport House redevelopment in Dagenham, delivering 149 sustainably heated homes. This is the second collaboration after successfully delivering the 90-home Chequers Lane development in 2022. Hollybrook uses Modern Methods of Construction with 60% of buildings constructed off-site.
• Thames FreeportsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThames Freeport is supporting The Factory District project and is located in the Thames Estuary Growth Corridor. It is the only freeport in the country with rail, river, and road access, supporting growth in the area.
• Barking Riverside LimitedsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBarking Riverside Limited is supporting The Factory District project and is a key partner in the broader regeneration of Barking Riverside, which has 39,000 homes planned as part of London Riverside.
• Transport for London (TfL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTfL is a key transport partner investing £4.9 million in Barking and Dagenham's transport network in both 2024 and 2025, totalling over £87 million across London's boroughs. TfL is investing in safer walking and cycling routes, road safety improvements, and expanding the cycle network to support Vision Zero commitments.
• Greater London Authority (GLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe GLA works closely with Barking and Dagenham Council and Be First on growth plans, identifying the borough as a key driver of London's economic and housing growth. The GLA's new Growth Plan highlights Barking and Dagenham's role as a hub for sustainable development.
• McLarencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcLaren developed Industria, the UK's first multi-storey light industrial scheme in partnership with Be First. This innovative stacked industrial development provides over 100,000 sq. ft. of industrial floorspace for local businesses and SMEs.
• JLLsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJLL represented Be First in completing three deals at Industria with SME occupiers CC Dist UK Limited, Samosa Haus, and Card Galaxy, totalling over 5,000 sq. ft. of leased space.
• LSH (Lambert Smith Hampton)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLSH represented Be First in completing deals at Industria with SME occupiers, helping match local businesses with appropriate commercial space.
• White ArkitektersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhite Arkitekter served as architect for Gascoigne West Phase 2, partnering with Be First to create sustainable, vibrant places with parks, play areas, and affordable homes. This was their third project with Be First in the Gascoigne Neighbourhood.
• PeriscopesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeriscope served as landscape architect for the Gascoigne Road public realm improvement project, working with Be First and the community to enhance pedestrian safety and green spaces.
• PRP ArchitectssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPRP Architects designed the Town Quay development, creating three striking new buildings (11-storey and two 7-storey) with pedestrian boulevards and a public plaza overlooking Town Quay and the River Roding.
• Barking and Dagenham CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBe First is the urban regeneration arm of Barking and Dagenham Council. All development activities are carried out on behalf of the Council, which maintains close oversight through Board appointments and strategic direction.
• GLA Small Sites Small Builders ProgrammesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBe First participates in the GLA's Small Sites Small Builders programme, making small sites available through the GLA portal to help increase the number of homes built by small developers and builders for Londoners.

Scale indicators24 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Mount Anvil: London-focused residential developer with a strong east-London pipeline including partnerships with councils. Comparable in product type (BTR and for-sale residential) but private rather than council-owned.
• Quintain: Developer behind Wembley Park regeneration, delivering thousands of new homes through a long-term partnership-led model. Comparable to Be First's partnership-led direction though at significantly larger scale in a single masterplan.

Broad incumbents

• Berkeley Group: Major London-focused housebuilder with extensive regeneration experience. Comparable in residential product delivery in east London but operates as a private for-sale builder rather than affordable-led council vehicle.
• Notting Hill Genesis: Major London housing association with significant development pipeline. Like Be First it focuses on affordable housing delivery and regeneration but is a larger, multi-borough organisation.
• Peabody: Large housing association with a major development arm delivering new homes across London. Comparable to Be First in affordable-led delivery but operates across multiple boroughs and is a private registered provider rather than a council vehicle.
• Lendlease: Global urban regeneration developer with UK operations including Elephant Park and Thamesmead. Comparable in large-scale mixed-use regeneration delivery, though much larger and operating globally rather than borough-focused.

Direct peers

• Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC): Mayoral Development Corporation for Old Oak and Park Royal in west London. Public-sector-led regeneration vehicle with planning and development remit comparable to Be First's model in Barking and Dagenham.
• Barking Riverside Limited: Joint venture between LBBD and L&Q delivering the 39,000-home Barking Riverside scheme — directly within Be First's operating geography and a key partner on The Factory District.
• London Legacy Development Corporation: Mayoral Development Corporation delivering regeneration around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London. Closest structural peer to Be First: publicly-led, land-owner, infrastructure-led regeneration with private developer partners delivering new homes and jobs.

Others

• Homes England: Government's housing and regeneration agency that funds and enables housebuilding. Comparable as an ecosystem participant that provides capital and frameworks supporting council-led delivery such as Be First's.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/befirstlondon
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDLNj3gGr0iei9Vtp51SLnA?view_as=subscriber
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/be-first-london
• Instagraminstagram.com/befirstregeneration
• Facebookfacebook.com/BeFirstLondon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Be First