Leasing Australia’s Cities – The RISE of the REP

More than 70 people attended the latest Commercial and Corporate Real Estate breakfast to gain a better understanding of the increasing role that tenant representatives play in the commercial leasing market.

The event also provided the opportunity to explore what the future might hold for commercial leasing in Australia.

Christine O’Hara, the Property Council of Australia’s CCRE Committee Chair, and General Manager – Office, Investa Property Group, moderated the event.

To kick off the discussion, Peter Messenger, Proprietor – Messenger CRE, outlined that the rise of tenant representatives is being driven by need. With the Australian market being very sophisticated, tenants are turning to professionals to carry out their next leasing move.

The second key note presentation was delivered by Matt Kearney, National Director, Office Leasing – Colliers International, who spoke of the value add that commercial agents offer to their clients, and how services like market intelligence are a growing importance.

Clay Novello, Manager, Property & Acquisitions – Flight Centre Travel Group, provided details of Flight Centre’s property presence in Australia. Each year, Flight Centre deals with 270 plus lease renewals and 3 plus fitout projects. The scale of this work means that Flight Centre employs 40 internal property staff, and is continuing its use of tenant representatives. However, these representatives are only used as leasing representatives and not for high level portfolio reviews.

Chris Slack, Director – Alceon, joined our guest speakers for a panel discussion. The ensuing debate focused on the wide variance of professionalism shown by both agents and tenant representatives. Panel members agreed that there is a need for more professional development for up and coming agents, and that a set of guidelines must be developed for tenant representatives.

The Property Council would like to sincerely thank Christine O’Hara for taking the time to moderate the event, and our thanks is extended to our guest speakers. Special thanks must also go to our major sponsor Dexus Property Group, sponsors Herbert Smith Freehills and our supporting sponsor Yardi, without the support of these organisations the CCRE breakfast series would not be possible.

Major sponsor

Sponsored By

Supporting sponsors

Christine O’Hara, Chair of the Property Council of Australia’s CCRE Committee and Investa Property Group 

Leone Costigan – Herbert Smith Freehills

Jaime Burnell – DEXUS Property Group

Matt Kearney – Colliers International, Peter Messenger – Messenger CRE, Clay Novello – Flight Centre Travel Group & Chris Slack – Alceon

Jaime Burnerll – DEXUS Property, Ado Van Rensburg – Yardi , Clay Novello – Flight Centre Travel Group, Christine O’Hara, Chair of the Property Council of Australia’s CCRE Committee and Investa Property Group, Matt Kearney – Colliers International, Peter Messenger – Messenger CRE, Chris Slack – Alceon & Leone Costigan – Herbert Smith Freehills

Lena Howard – Mirvac Group & Stacey Antal – Regus

Matt Kearney – Colliers International & Drew Patten – Cushman & Wakefield

Malcom Kemp & Vanessa Bedelis – ISPT