Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) management services provider and arm of Torsion Group – Luna Students – has established a new leadership team.
Louise Bena is a Managing Director with over 15 years of experience in the PBSA sector. She is a strategic leader with a proven track record in driving occupancy, enhancing student experiences and maximising asset value.
Having held senior roles at Unite, Liberty Living, GSA/Yugo, and StudentCrowd, she brings a wealth of expertise in sales, marketing and strategy. Louise’s vision for Luna Students is centered around operational excellence and industry-leading student experiences. Louise was appointed as Managing Director of Luna Students in June 2024.
“I am incredibly proud to have built such an outstanding leadership team.
“At Luna Students, people are at the heart of everything we do – our team, our customers and our investors.”
Louise Bena, Managing Director, Luna Students
Operations Director Stuart Henderson – who joined Luna Students in November 2024 – has been at the forefront of PBSA operations for over a decade. Beginning his journey as General Manager at The Student Housing Company in 2014, he quickly ascended to European Head of Operations at Yugo, overseeing 20,000 beds.
His leadership has garnered multiple industry awards, including International Operator of the Year at the 2020 Student Accommodation Awards. Stuart’s expertise in operational efficiency, team leadership, and ESG strategies will be instrumental in Luna’s continued growth.
Marketing Director Rosie Hill began her decade-long career in PBSA as a Resident Assistant at The Student Housing Company, quickly advancing to Digital Marketing Specialist. She later played a key role in the rapid expansion of PBSA portfolios, successfully launching new markets across nine countries as Head of Marketing at Nido Living and contributing to 12 industry award wins during her tenure.
With expertise in brand development, demand generation, strategic market entry, and having named one of EG’s Rising Stars of Real Estate in 2023, her appointment will support the company’s ambitious growth, expanding its presence in new locations and strengthening student engagement.
Shelley Bellett is a Commercial & Operations Director who carries 17 years of experience in PBSA, having held key roles at Yugo, Liberty Living, The Student Housing Company and Project Student. She specialises in building high-performing teams and optimising commercial and operational functions.
She has a keen ability to enhance student experience while delivering strong financial performance. Shelley’s leadership will ensure Luna Students’ growth remains people-focused, aligning with its commitment to providing exceptional student living environments.
“Luna Students is a key part of Torsion Group’s fully integrated business model, enabling us to invest, develop, construct and operate best-in-class student accommodation.
“The team at Luna is among the best in the sector, and they are already making a huge impact – enhancing student experiences, optimising developments, and delivering strong returns for our investors.
“With Louise’s leadership and our combined expertise, we are well-positioned to accelerate our growth and set new benchmarks for excellence in the PBSA sector.”
Dan Spencer, CEO, Torsion Group
Luna Students currently has over 700 beds live for 2025 and a pipeline of over 2,500 beds as part of its rapid growth plan to own and operate over 4,000 beds in the next four years. The company plans to expand its reach through strategic partnerships, leveraging its expertise to provide best-in-class student accommodation management services.
In partnership with Torsion Group, Luna Students is committed to sustainability, operational efficiency and student wellbeing. Recent developments include a joint venture with Zenzic Capital, acquiring five major PBSA schemes in Leeds, Warwick and Nottingham.
Currently, Luna Students operates two schemes, with three additional developments set to launch in September 2025.
