Chat with a Chair – Capital Markets Committee
Claire Reading, Associate Director, Structured Transactions and Advisory Services, CBRE
What was your first role within the property industry and what roles have you had since?
Research Analyst (BIS Shrapnel), Research Analyst (Savills), Research Manager (Eureka Funds Management), Associate Director (CBRE Research), Associate Director (Structured Transactions, CBRE)
What is the biggest issue facing the property industry in NSW currently?
Planning for growth, particularly in the west, including adequate infrastructure for successful communities.
If you weren’t working in property, where could you see yourself working?
Surf Life Saving
What are the committees priorities for the next 12 months?
Encourage thought leadership within the industry via quality seminars with a focus on issues impacting capital markets.
What do you think are the characteristics of a great committee member?
Someone who is passionate about the industry and remains engaged whilst juggling work commitments with committee involvement
Using only one word, how would you describe the Property Council of Australia?
Determined
What does “success” mean to you in terms of your work as a Committee member?
Providing insights for industry participants to enable better decision making, while fostering an inclusive and respectful committee environment.
Alexandra Gray, Head of Research, Mirvac
What was your first role within the property industry and what roles have you had since?
Marketing Co-ordinator at AMP Capital Shopping Centres, Marketing (then) Leasing Analyst at AMPCSC, Research Analyst at DEXUS Property Group, Investor Relations Manager at DEXUS Property Group, Group Research Manager UK and Australia at Lendlease, Associate Director, then National Director Research at LaSalle Investment Management, Head of Research at Mirvac
What is the biggest issue facing the property industry in NSW currently?
Depends on your viewpoint; For global listed investors – they can misunderstand the strength in the economy and urban demand, fearing the housing market is about to cave in; for global capital players – how can they get set with opportunities? For developers, the planning system and either delays, lack of clarity or a myriad of fees and charges, is an ongoing handbrake. One issue we see that will affect everyone over the next 5 years is the elevated construction costs in NSW, stemming from a shallow labour force pool and tremendous activity competing for both workers and materials. It’s the double edge sword of a strong, investing economy.
If you weren’t working in property, where could you see yourself working?
Tourism
What are the committees priorities for the next 12 months?
To add to Claire’s points – a small point I’m personally proud of, is the extra work our Committee is doing to secure female speakers as part of the Property Council’s 40/40/20 mandate. If you think of the industry, the Capital Markets space (including Capital Transactions, Investors, finance professionals, economists etc) are still male heavy teams. Yet there are a growing number of very knowledgeable women in senior roles we are showcasing, making for more enriched and quality events.
What do you think are the characteristics of a great committee member?
I think it’s similar to engagement in your day job. You commit to being an active participant in meetings, between meetings and taking responsibility for bringing a quality project to fruition.
Using only one word, how would you describe the Property Council of Australia?
Vital
What does “success” mean to you in terms of your work as a Committee member?
Achieving our financial objectives, retaining the series’ ‘high quality’ standard/brand set by people that worked hard before me, but also evolving our event topics to relevant but new territory for the Capital Market series.