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How can London property owners stand out from the ESG crowd?
November 11, 2021 @ 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
London’s future prospects as a global centre of business hinge on its ability to move with the times.
Property owners whose portfolios include investments that make a positive social and environmental impact are not only attracting an ever-growing pool of buyers who are focused on the best buildings with superior ESG credentials, but also the interest of ever more discerning occupiers.
Those with outdated buildings on their books and without a forward-thinking approach to development are getting left behind.
But with so many jumping on the ESG bandwagon, what are London’s property owners doing to stand out to investors and occupiers?
Panellists
Audrey Klein
Chair of the ESG Committee at Planet Smart City
Audrey Klein holds various Non-Exec Board roles and is the chair of the ESG Committee for Planet Smart City and SFO Capital.
She has held various Head of Fundraising roles but is best known for starting the European business out of London for the Park Hill Real Estate Group, a Division of Blackstone, which she ran for nine years. Prior to joining Park Hill, Ms. Klein ran her own business for five years marketing alternative asset funds across all asset classes including private equity, real estate and hedge funds to European investors comprised of pension funds, banks, family offices and high net worth individuals. Before making the move to Europe she worked at Bank of America in San Francisco doing syndications across various sectors before co-founding an affordable housing real-estate fund for her group.
Ms. Klein is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of business where she received an MBA. She is also a graduate of Emory University where she received a degree in Economics. She is on the Corporate Board of Great Ormond Street Hospital, The Academy of Real Assets, on the Future of Financing Committee at GRI, and on the ULI Technology Committee.
Nick Deacon
Head of office, Europe at Nuveen
Nick is responsible for leading Nuveen Real Estate’s office investment activity across Europe. He coordinates the firm’s specialist teams across the pan-European network to ensure it is best equipped to identify emerging trends in the office market and align the strategy accordingly. He is also heavily involved in managing mandates for Alberta Investment Management Corporation, Madison International Realty, PFA and AustralianSuper. Prior to his current role, Nick was director of Central London offices, where he was involved with high-profile London transactions and projects, including 40 Leadenhall Street and King’s Cross Central. Nick
joined the firm in 2004 to assist with the launch of the Central London office strategy. He has been highly involved in the growth of the business’ London office portfolio.
Nick started his career as a graduate at Weatherall Green & Smith before moving to Slade & Co. He later joined DTZ as an Associate Director in the Investment Agency. He began working in the office market industry in 2000. Nick graduated with a B.A., with honours, in Business Management and Finance from the University of East Anglia and a M.S. in Land Management from the University of Reading. He is also a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Peter Ferrari
Chief executive of Ashby Capital
Peter has over 35 years’ experience in the property industry, with his previous experience including roles as Managing Director at Heron International and as a Director at London & Edinburgh Trust. He was instrumental in the growth of both, leading development and investment projects across various property sectors in the UK and Europe.
Peter holds a BA (Hons) degree in Philosophy and a Masters degree in Land Management from Reading University. He has been a Member of the RICS since 1988.
Peter is proud of the dynamic, close-knit and ambitious team he has built under the AshbyCapital brand. Outside of work, he enjoys various sports and is a keen family man.
Tom Smithers
Property Director at Ashby Capital
Tom is our Property Director, he joined us in January 2016 and has a broad range of cross sector property experience. He has a passion for creating best-in-class real estate assets and delivering the highest possible service for tenants.
Tom previously worked at Green Property, where he was responsible for three UK distressed asset management platforms on behalf of various banking clients. Prior to this, he spent six years at German Fund IVG, where he was responsible for acquisitions and disposals. Tom started his career at Grosvenor, where he trained and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor.
Tom holds a first-class honours degree in Real Estate Management and has been a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) since 2006.
Away from the office, Tom is an avid water sports fan and enjoys spending time with his family on the south coast.