The effects of being part of a global economy on investment in the UK and technology affecting occupiers’ use of space. It’s difficult to keep ahead of the game and predict trends.
There is no substitute for hard work on this one. You need stamina, patience and resilience; there will be setbacks along the way.
South Place Hotel in the City – a plan B strategy in response to the global financial crisis hitting demand for office space. We secured a pre-letting of a hotel on a long lease; constructed an attractive building and sold the resulting investment having seen the hotel trading figures stabilise.
We invest across all sectors in the UK; not just the traditional asset classes you list but also alternative strategies such as student housing; retirement homes and even a data centre. We adopt a stock picker approach choosing deals from the pipeline where we can underwrite our target returns with conviction.
It’s a question of awareness and that is improving. Women should have more confidence in their abilities and speak out whilst men must help them find their voice. Balance and diversity is not simply a gender issue. The industry must work to ensure it truly represents society particularly given that we greatly influence the urban realm in which society functions.
Frogmore has been a Land Aid Foundation Partner for many years. They are just one of many charities we support. It’s important to ‘give back’. Morally we all have a duty to help correct unfairness in society. Youth homelessness is a shameful tragedy which we must all help to end.
Every year of the 30 years I have worked in this fabulous industry has been game changing. I look forward to more of that.
Negativity – people who start every sentence with, “The problem is….”
My Mum always told me “The World doesn’t owe you a living – you have to go out and earn it.”
WhatsApp (for keeping in touch with my friends).
How to Win Friends and Influence People – a great guide for life both in and outside the office.
Anywhere with my husband, Justin (Brand).