Accelerating Careers in Real Estate

This evening, I am joined by Michael Morris, CEO of Picton, a commercial UK REIT with more than £750 million diversified UK commercial property portfolio, invested across 49 assets and with around 400 occupiers. A REIT who have outperformed MSCI since their launch.

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Please keep your questions and voicenotes coming. It is best to contact me on LinkedIn.

The key chapters in our conversation:

1. Exploration and Career Shift:

• Initially considered the RAF and civil engineering but shifted focus to the financial and managerial aspects of real estate.

• Completed a civil engineering degree but later pursued a master's in real estate.

2. Financial Crisis Challenges:

• Played a pivotal role in managing a significant portfolio acquisition during the 2007 financial crisis.

• Developed resilience and earned investor trust amid challenging market conditions.

3. Entrepreneurial Leap and Leadership Style:

• Founded an internally managed fund management subsidiary for Picton in 2010, contributing to sustained growth.

• Michael's leadership emphasizes having a plan, prioritizing tasks, and staying focused on essential objectives.

4. Legacy and Mentoring:

• Ambitions evolve with personal and professional growth; Michael aims to positively impact individuals.

• Recognizes the importance of mentoring, both within and outside the industry, for career and personal development.

5. Balancing Career and Personal Legacy:

• Stresses the significance of family, friends, and personal legacies beyond professional achievements.

6. Continuous Learning and Adaptability:

• Highlights the value of continuous learning through additional qualifications and participation in mentoring programs.

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This evening, I am joined by Matt Walker, CEO for Student Housing UK Portfolio on behalf of Singaporean Global Asset Manager Mapletree. Matt originally from Oklahoma, has risen through the ranks of residential operations in the States, South America and the UK. And we catch him as he is just settling in to his most recent role and employer.

You can join in the discussion using our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9054319/

Please keep your questions and voicenotes coming. It is best to contact me on LinkedIn.

Matt Walker discusses his career journey, starting from his early years in Oklahoma to his current role as the CEO of Student Accommodation with Mapletree. Emphasises taking less travelled paths, stepping away from safety and security, and betting on oneself at key milestones in his career.

Career Path & Decision-Making

· Highlights the importance of leaving an organization respectfully, avoiding burning bridges, and maintaining relationships.

· Talks about taking risks and the confidence derived from knowing that learned skills can be applied elsewhere if things go wrong.

· Emphasizes the significance of having a backup plan, staying grounded, and considering the worst-case scenario in career decisions.

Strengths & Strategic Thinking

· Discusses feedback received about his strengths, particularly focusing on relentless drive, strategic thinking, and remaining calm under pressure.

· Stresses that there wasn't a master plan but an acceptance of ambiguity and opportunities that led to growth.

· Shares insights about seizing opportunities in the moment and having a flexible, strategic approach to career choices.

Current Role & Change

· Talks about joining Maple Tree, a Singapore-based organization, and becoming the CEO of their global student housing business, expanding into multiple continents.

Task Management & Focus

· Reflects on feedback about being extremely driven, focused, and efficient in completing tasks without procrastination.

· Discusses personality traits inherited from family and learning to be efficient while balancing tactical and strategic work.

· Emphasizes the importance of decision-making speed and avoiding getting bogged down by tactical details in a fast-paced industry.

Creating Work-Life Balance

· Acknowledges past challenges in achieving work-life balance but shares learned strategies.

· Encourages accepting personal growth, setting clear boundaries, and finding ways to disconnect from work after hours.

· Advises creating psychological comfort with being offline and employing practical tricks to separate work and personal life.

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This evening, I am joined by Geeta Nanda OBE, CEO of Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing. Geeta is the former Chair of the G15 and during her 16 year stewardship of the UK’s 6th largest housing association her accomplishments included the merger of Metropolitan and Thames Valley Housing, she oversaw the launch and sale of the lauded build-to-rent provider Fizzy Living, sits on a series of boards including Redrow preceding their merger with Barratt and navigated a 2,000 person strong business, with 60,000 homes through the numerous economic, political and financial crisis over the last two decades.

Geeta Nanda, OBE, talks about her dynamic career trajectory - from her initial foray into real estate to becoming a chief executive who steered major housing initiatives. The conversation reveals challenges faced, milestones achieved, and Geeta’s philosophy on leadership, innovation, and making impactful decisions.

00:02 Introduction to Accelerating Careers in Real Estate

00:59 The Formative Years: Gita Nader's Journey Begins

03:33 Stepping Stones into Real Estate

06:29 First Challenges and Balancing Act

09:37 Rising Through the Ranks: Leadership and Learning

18:25 Innovating in Housing: The Fizzy Living Success Story

22:53 Leadership Philosophy: Building Teams and Vision

26:02 The Merger of Metropolitan and Thames Valley

33:53 Reflecting on a Pioneering Career and What's Next

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This evening, I am joined by David Kosky, Co-Founder of Co-Working business Work.Life. Co-Founders David and Elliot started Work.Life in 2015 because they believe everyone should feel happy in their work lives. Now, Work.Life is made up of 15 coworking spaces with 19 projected by the end of the year, and over 6,000 members.

You can join in the discussion using our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9054319/

Please keep your questions and voicenotes coming. It is best to contact me on LinkedIn.

During the conversation, David delivered key insight into several topics including:

1. Evolution of Coworking Spaces: He discussed how the concept of coworking spaces has evolved over the years, from being a tough market to a more institutionalized and accepted asset class. The sector has seen significant growth and investment from big landlords and institutional money.

2. Trusting Instincts: David emphasised the importance of trusting one's instincts, especially when faced with scepticism from others. Despite warnings and doubts from experienced individuals in the real estate industry, he and his co-founder, Elliot, trusted their instincts and pursued their vision.

3. Complimentary Skill Sets: David highlighted the importance of having a co-founder with complementary skills. His focus was more on business development and growth, while Elliot excelled in detail orientation, team-building, and management.

4. Challenges in Running a Business: David acknowledged the challenges of running one's own business, from starting small and doing everything themselves to scaling up and building a team. He mentioned that persistence, positivity, and creative problem-solving are crucial in navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

5. WeWork's Impact on the Industry: David recognized WeWork's significant impact on pushing the coworking industry forward but also highlighted the challenges WeWork faced due to rapid expansion and shaky real estate foundations. Despite WeWork's issues, David expressed confidence in the long-term trajectory of the coworking sector beyond WeWork's influence.

6. Dealing with Setbacks: When asked about recovering from setbacks, David emphasized the importance of not taking setbacks personally, compartmentalizing work from personal life, and focusing on problem-solving and learning from mistakes.

7. Encouragement for Entrepreneurs: David encouraged individuals interested in entrepreneurship, particularly in the real estate sector, highlighting the opportunities for innovation and disruption in this market.

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This evening, I am joined by Tom Redmayne, Managing Director & Head of Europe at Industrious. Industrious began its journey as a co-working, flex office operator in 2013 opening its doors in Chicago and today it has 160 locations globally. Whilst flex is very much a fresh concept in real estate, it is almost a homecoming for Tom to return to real assets after leaving Cushmans in 2015 he joined one of the pioneers of the proptech boom Wired Score spending 8 years with the business in the UK, Ireland and New York.

We explore his remarkable journey through the real estate and technology sectors. From the initial steps out of university into uncertain territories to leading roles at WiredScore and now Industrious, Tom shares invaluable insights into navigating career pivots, embracing technology in real estate, and the pivotal moments that have shaped his career trajectory.

"Honestly, they (early years in the real estate market) were a bit of a disaster." A candid revelation of the initial setbacks and the steep learning curb in the transition from academics to professional life. - "I've always been fascinated by technology... But it wasn't actually until I met a lady called Juliette Morgan... that I really realized how real estate and technology could interact." Highlighting the lightbulb moment that propelled him into the intersection of real estate and technology.

Tom's narrative is not just a roadmap for burgeoning professionals in real estate and tech but also a testament to the dynamism of the professional landscape, emphasising adaptability, continuous learning, and the importance of mentorship. Join us as we unravel the lessons from Tom Redmayne's journey — insights that resonate far beyond the thresholds of real estate, echoing in the realms of entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth.

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