The dramatic impacts of the coronavirus in the way we work has viscerally demonstrated that in today's tech-infused world, work need not necessarily be performed in an office. This has triggered public debate on the purpose of offices and whether they are even needed.
Join us for our first in person seminar in over a year as we gather to consider a range of different perspectives on this important topic. We will debate what the future holds for offices, and revisit our webinar from May 2020 last year.
The event will comprise a welcome from AXA IM before a round table panel discussion with industry thought-leaders which will offer the opportunity for audience questions throughout.
This will be followed by a tour of 22 Bishopsgate, the newest addition to London City’s skyline and a physical representation of how workspaces are being reimagined.
Welcome
Justin Curlow, Global Head of Research and Strategy, AXA IM - Justin's team is responsible for applying the firm’s 360-degree approach to real asset research with the principle aim of improving the investment decision-making process. Justin is a member of the Strategic Investment Committee and allocation committees for various funds managed by AXA IM - Real Assets. In his most recent role, as an Investment Strategist, Justin was the dedicated strategist for core direct property, CRE debt and flexible property funds. Justin joined AXA IM - Real Assets in 2011 having spent 6 years working for Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management (RREEF).
Panel Chair
Tom Duncan, Head of Research, Cromwell Property Group - Tom is responsible for setting the research strategy for Cromwell’s international platform, producing investment and strategy research to advise the business and its investors on market and sector opportunities and risks. He is also responsible for creating thematic-based investment strategies, and using his experience in economic and property market analysis to support the investment decision-making process. Tom joined Cromwell in 2021 from Mayfair Capital, where he spent four years and was latterly Director of Strategy and Innovation, responsible for research across Europe and the UK. Prior to this he spent two years at JLL in the UK as an Associate Director in their Corporate Research team. He also has experience working in Australia in a research role and in property economics with Colliers International and Hill PDA respectively. Tom holds Masters degrees in Property Development from the UTS Sydney and Town and Country Planning from the University of Sheffield, as well as a BA in Human Geography from Nottingham Trent University.
Panellists
Elaine Rossall, Head of UK Offices Research, JLL - Elaine heads the UK office research team at JLL, which provides advice to clients on recent trends and the outlook for UK office market. The team produces regular reports on the Central London market, the West London and Thames Valley markets and the major regional centres. In addition to this, the team produces thematic reports on topical issues impacting on office market performance-most recently looking at the impact of Sustainability on Value. Her role is to develop the office content and insight platform, feeding into JLL’s UK office leasing and capital markets business and to work with clients to develop their strategies. She regularly presents on the outlook for the London and wider UK property market to external clients and broader industry bodies. Elaine recently stood down as chair of the research committee for the British Council of Offices, where she had responsibility for providing a strategic overview of the BCO's research agenda.
Bill Page, Head of Real Estate Markets Research, L&G Real Assets - Bill has responsibility for the formation of house views and inputs into fund strategy. He has 19 years’ industry experience. He is a voting member of the real estate Investment Committee and actively contributes to the platform’s Office and Industrial strategy. Bill joined LGIM Real Assets in October 2012, having spent seven years at JLL where he was EMEA head of office market research. Prior to JLL Bill worked at Estates Gazette Group. He chaired the British Council for Offices’ Research Committee between 2015 and 2018 and sits on the IPF Research Steering Group. Bill graduated from Lancaster University with a first class degree in geography. He holds the IMC certificate and IPF Diploma.
Dan Brown, Co-Founder, Situu - Dan is a Co-Founder of Situu, launched in 2019, a multi-disciplined real estate advisory service. Situu works to bring tenants & landlords together through all avenues of the modern market - leasehold, flex space & everything in-between. Dan has worked within the flexible office market since 2008 and prior to Situu ran JLL's Flex brokerage business in London, the UK and across EMEA since 2012. Dan's expertise over the past decade has been assisting multiple tenants and landlords, of all shapes and sizes, navigate the flexible office market helping to incorporate 'flex' into their real estate strategies.
James Goldsmith, Leasing Manager, AXA IM - James has worked on some of London's most progressive schemes, including Apple's first UK flagship in Regent Street, Central Saint Giles, Television Centre and The Shard. And now the recently completed 22 Bishopsgate, which delivers 1.35million sq ft of social workspace in the heart of the City of London. He maintains a strong belief in market research and how broader social and economic issues influence occupier needs and objectives. During his 25-year career in Central London, James has executed many high-profile and award-winning transactions as both an adviser and a principal, operating within the leasing, asset management and development markets.