The Leeds-based student lettings, Pickard Properties, have sponsored the previous five Leeds Varsity events in 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, and will show their support once again as the University of Leeds face off against Leeds Beckett University from Monday 27 – Wednesday 29 April.
Pickard Properties has a strong heritage of supporting university sport in the city, having long-established relationships with student sports teams from both universities.
We spoke to Miles Pickard, Director of Pickard Properties.
This year marks the 20th edition of Leeds Varsity — what does it mean to Pickard Properties to be a part of such a major milestone in the city’s sporting history?
“It’s a great honour. I think a lot of credit goes to the universities and the other organisations for keeping something going as long as this, because it’s a magnificent event. It’s just great to be associated with something like that.”
As a business, why is supporting student athletes important to you?
“It’s a great level of this sport. People come to university for all sorts of different reasons, like academic, but it’s also about enjoying yourself and it brings all students together of whatever level, even on a sport level, I think it brings them all together. Again, it’s just to have a good time and enjoy themselves, make new friends, and socialise.”
What’s the best way for our students to come and get involved with the Pickard’s team during Varsity week?
“Well, first of all, you can come and see them at the different events. We’ll be at most of the events. We will have our Pickard properties hoodie on giving out various freebies and glasses, sunglasses, and all kinds of things like that. Or, call into the office if you want to have a chat or obviously, there’s our website! We’re accessible all over the place really.”
What do you think students value the most about living with Pickard Properties?
“I think we’re approachable, very approachable. We’re a family business, so we don’t manage for anybody else. This is what we’ve got, you can talk to us. We like to think we do a very good job. Repair wise, we’re very strict on getting repairs done very, very quickly. And if you’ve got any issues for whatever it might be, come and talk to us. We’re accessible- and I think that’s really simple.”
“I just hope everyone just enjoys themselves really, I think that’s what it’s all about. People talk about mental health these days, about pressure on getting results, grades, payment, money, all those kind of things and hopefully this sort of alleviates a lot of that and gets people enjoying themselves. And we really enjoy being associated with it all because of that. It’s just a great few days.”
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April 13, 2026
The History of Varsity
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Let’s Talk About Easter Sunday
