Commercial Property

“Being Chair of the Commercial Property Professional Group Panel allows me to engage and work with enthusiastic members across the broad commercial property sector. Working with the RICS staff teams to understand key plans and activities and to help support the RICS with useful insight and member feedback has been the focus of the first 6 months since we formed. If you’d like to engage with us, email pgp@rics.org.”

Roderick Houston

Chair

The Purpose of the Commercial Property PGP is to provide market insight and advise RICS on programmes of work covering technical standards, CPD, conferences and training, journals, policy, research, and relevant competences for APC pathways, all related to commercial property.

The key market insights that the PGP have been discussing are:

Sustainability / energy / climate change / decarbonisation
AI / data / PropTech
The rapidly changing demand for different types of commercial real estate.
Changes in legislation, what they may mean for our current stock, and how they will affect the market.
Issues affecting commercial property landlords and tenants.
Diversity, equity and inclusion in the sector.
Flexible/hybrid office space and the impact on valuations.

The PGP are advocating for the work RICS is doing in the commercial sector:

Updated and consolidated standards on property agency and management.
Updating the Service charges in commercial property standard.
Responding to government consultations/inquiries e.g. the House of Lords Built Environment Committee Inquiry into high streets in towns and small cities and Clarity on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for Non-Domestic Properties
Developing the programme for the RICS Commercial Property Conference.
Work undertaken on data and AI to support Members so far.

The RICS Podcast

Listen to the PGP Commercial Property podcast featuring members of the PGP: Maria Wiedner MRICS, Nella Pang MRICS and RICS Head of Practice Paul Bagust.

This episode features a discussion around the Commercial Property PGP, which covers all-important areas like sustainability, AI and data, and the changing demand in commercial property.

Also available on Apple Music and Spotify.

Chair

Roderick Houston MRICS

Engagement Director (Construction & Real Estate), Net Zero Now

Roddy is a Chartered Surveyor with extensive experience in commercial real estate. He is currently leading a team at Net Zero Now, a climate-tech company, working to improve carbon accounting and decarbonisation in the construction supply chain. He also acts as a consultant, providing strategy and transactions advice to a number of clients. Before this, he was Deputy Director (London) in the Government Property Agency, leading a team to transform the Civil Estate office portfolio across London, delivering a number of major schemes across the “Whitehall Campus”, Canary Wharf, Croydon and Stratford. Previous roles include as an Estate Strategist with Capita; as an Asset Management Director at Land Securities / TeleReal Trillium; as a management consultant in KPMG’s Property & Programmes Consulting group; and as property asset manager in Coopers & Lybrand’s Business Recovery & Insolvency division. He trained at Knight Frank & Rutley. Roddy has therefore worked in both leading professional advisory firms as well “client-side” organisations, serving a wide range of both private and public sector clients, across all kinds of different, commercial, property asset classes. Roddy was President of the Cambridge University Land Society from 2012-2014, and still chairs its Commercial Property Forum. Amongst other roles, he is a founder member of the Cambridge Land Economy Advisory Board.

Vice Chair

Jonathan Theobald MRICS

Head of Investment Analytics, Derwent London Plc

Jonathan is Head of Investment Analytics at Derwent London Plc, the largest London focused real estate investment trust (REIT). This role includes reviewing value add opportunities from within the Groups property portfolio as well as sourcing potential new acquisitions. With extensive experience in real estate valuation, part of his role involves the overseeing of the Groups bi-annual valuation process, liaising with the external valuers and production of the investor results. In other areas of the role Jonathan has expanded his experience in development projects, undertaking the development management of several office, retail, and mixed-use schemes. This has involved working with consultants and design teams from concept implementation and planning through to construction practical completion. Jonathan has been with Derwent London for 11 years. Prior to joining Derwent London, Jonathan spent 11 years at CBRE predominantly within the Central London Valuation Advisory department where he undertook portfolio and loan security valuations for large London focused property companies and investment banks. This time included a period in Sydney, Australia where he specialized in valuation advisory work for commercial assets within the central business district, particularly shopping centres and mixed-use commercial schemes. Jonathan qualified from the University of Reading with a BSc Hons in Land Management and is a Professional Member of the RICS, general practice division.

Members

Ola Alade

Director, Olawill

Ola Alade is the founder of Olawill Limited, a company specialising in providing property advice to SMEs. Before establishing his business, he amassed seven years of experience as an asset manager in the property industry, with a focus on diverse asset types including healthcare, office, retail, and industrial properties. Ola's expertise and leadership were recognised in the 2022 cohort of EG's Future Leaders programme. He has been a finalist for the RICS Young Surveyor of the Year award in 2020, 2021, and 2023, demonstrating his consistent excellence and contribution to the field. His insights and thought leadership were also featured in LinkedIn's 2019 #InTogether campaign, showcasing his influence and connectivity within the professional community. Adept at public speaking, Ola has shared his expertise at various prestigious forums, including a panel discussion at MIPIM 2019. His commitment to the profession extends to nurturing the next generation of professionals; he is an APC chair and assessor and contributes as a practitioner external examiner on the UCEM exam board.

Margarita Georgieva

Director – Property and Asset Management, JLL

Maggie is a Director in the Property and Asset Management team at JLL with over 8 years of experience in the management of premium commercial properties in Central London. With a focus on delivering outstanding results and maximizing value for clients, Maggie works on properties such as 22 Bishopsgate, 78 St James's Street, 20/22 Ropemaker Street, and London Bridge City Estate. She is also closely involved with the Design for Management team at JLL, providing specialist advice on leases, setting up of service charge, mobilisation and handover of new developments. Maggie holds a MSc in Real Estate Management from the University of West of England, a BSc in Management & Strategy from Aston University and Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills. She is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors as well as an APC Counsellor and Assessor, and has been recognized as a finalist for the RICS Young Surveyor of the Year Award 2021 in the category of Asset and Facilities Management.

Yulia Pak MRICS

Creative Enterprise Zone Manager, London Borough of Tower Hamlets and London Borough of Hackney

Yulia is a Chartered Surveyor and a strategic consultant with over 15 years of experience in providing strategic advice across the property sector. She is a part of the Judging Panel for the RICS Matrics Awards in the Commercial Property Category. As an RICS Inspire Ambassador, Yulia is actively supporting the organisation's early engagement strategy. Working for leading global consulting firms and operating at senior client levels, she advised on the design, delivery, and evaluation of real estate, infrastructure, and change management projects and programs. Her broad sectoral expertise, underpinned by a deep understanding of economic, social, environmental, and technology drivers, spans major commercial property sectors and emerging asset classes. In her current role with WSP UK Strategic Advisory business, Yulia is advising public and private sector clients on a wide spectrum of economic development and investment programs from commercial due diligence to delivery models. Yulia is a Board member of Placemaking Collective UK, the largest national placemaking network. She is actively involved in connecting members across the built environment sectors, disseminating the best design, planning, and development practices, and collaborating with international placemaking networks in Europe and the U.S.

Teck Chew Tan

Head, Investment (Singapore), Sime Darby Property

Teck Chew is based in Singapore and has extensive experience in real estate, with a focus in Southeast Asia. He has a distinctive blend of experience and track record in consulting and both buy and side sides. Teck Chew is Head, Investment (Singapore) for Sime Darby Property, a Malaysian developer. He previously spearheading the expansion of CBRE’s Industrial and Logistics services across Southeast Asia, where he helped clients on advisory, market entries and cross border investments. He started his career with Jones Lang LaSalle in their rotational programme, where he did stints in facility management, auction sales and corporate capital markets. He gained invaluable experience in financial analysis, real estate solutioning and deal structuring, focusing on complicated transactions like sales & leaseback and build-to-suit projects. He went on to be part of the pioneer team in LOGOS, a logistics developer, when they were starting operations in Southeast Asia. He aided in the setup of Indonesia venture and grew the portfolio in his 6 years there. https://www.linkedin.com/in/teck-chew-tan-mrics-938b9524/

Jo-Ann Hawkings

Partner, Investment and Property Management, Bidwells

Jo brings extensive expertise to the national and international real estate sector, covering strategic and financial analysis, asset management, portfolio management, leasing, and capital market transactions. Starting her career at CBRE in London, she worked on real estate finance, navigating the capital stack and advising on distressed debt portfolios during the 2008-2010 global financial crisis. Relocating to Sydney in 2011, Jo continued her tenure at CBRE, contributing to the Institutional Investments Team. Her responsibilities included preparing commercial assets for sale, conducting vendor due diligence, creating DCF financial models, and developing marketing materials. Transitioning to Dexus, one of Australia's major commercial landlords, Jo served as the buy-side Capital Transaction Manager, overseeing acquisition underwriting, negotiations, and legal documentation for significant office buildings and development opportunities. At Pembroke, a global investment management company, Jo initially served as the Regional Director for the Australian office. Upon her return to the UK in 2022, she assumed the role of Director of Asset Management Operations, focusing on enhancing systems and processes. Leveraging her practical experience, Jo ensures that digitalization implementations support business functions across all levels, from investor/executive reporting to on-site property operations. Jo holds a first-class BSc Hons in Investment and Finance in Property from the University of Reading and is a Professional Member of the RICS. With a background in chairing the MATRICS Committee in Sydney, she looks forward to contributing to the Commercial Property PGP.

Nella Pang

Managing Director, Omega RE

Nella Pang, the Managing Director of Omega RE, is a trailblazer in the property industry, continually pushing the boundaries of real estate through innovation and technology. As the founder of Omega RE in 2020, Nella's leadership has been pivotal in achieving significant milestones, including becoming the first B Corp certified commercial real estate advisory firm outside of London in 2023. This certification highlights Omega RE's dedication to social and environmental responsibility. Nella's innovative spirit is evident in her approach to integrating PropTech into clients' real estate portfolios, enabling them to leverage key performance indicators for measurable success. Her client-centric philosophy has led to long-term partnerships and remarkable growth, such as advising a core client in expanding from 5 to 34 sites across the UK and increasing their business valuation sixfold from 2022 to 2024. Under her guidance, Omega RE fosters a culture of inclusivity and forward-thinking, demonstrated by initiatives like the Strong Female Lead Initiative and a commitment to gender diversity in recruitment. Nella also hosts the Let’s Talk South Coast Podcast, promoting industry discourse and attracting investment. Nella's innovative projects, such as the UK's largest clean air mural in Southampton, exemplify her commitment to environmental consciousness and unconventional solutions. Her influence extends through leadership roles on esteemed boards, including the Southampton Chamber of Commerce and the RICS Commercial Property Panel, where she contributes to shaping industry practices globally. Recognised with accolades like the Best Newcomer of the Year and MD of Omega RE Leader of the Year, Nella remains a visionary leader dedicated to driving positive change. Her ongoing efforts to mentor the next generation and support disadvantaged children in STEM underscore her commitment to education and inclusivity. Nella Pang stands as a pioneering force, continually staying ahead of the curve in real estate, leveraging technology, and fostering innovation to benefit her clients and the industry at large.

Maria Wiedner

Founder and CEO of Cambridge Finance since 2016

Maria Wiedner, Founder and CEO of Cambridge Finance since 2016, specializes in financial modeling, analysis, and property industry consulting. As CEO of Real Estate Women, CIC, she advocates for diversity and fair representation. Maria is a Real Estate Finance Specialist, APC Assessor for RICS, and teaches Real Estate Financial Modeling at IE School of Architecture and Design in Madrid. She contributes as an advisor and columnist for leading UK property magazines, BE News and Property Week. With a diverse background in quantitative roles within the financial sector, including property derivatives, renewable energy analysis, and REITs research, Maria has become a prominent figure in real estate financial modeling. She emphasizes the adoption of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) method. As an advocate for women's career progression, Maria is a founding mentor of the Mentoring Cycle, supporting the next generation of female talent. A graduate of Fundacao Getulio Vargas and the University of Cambridge, Maria is a CFA Charterholder and MRICS Member. Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, German, Finnish, and English, she brings a global perspective shaped by living in various countries.

Yongki Hong

Senior Manager, Portfolio - Swire Properties Limited

Yongki is a Senior Portfolio Manager at Swire Properties. Having worked in managing office assets in Pacific Place, he is now part of a team overseeing the holistic property and asset management in Taikoo Place, a portfolio of ten Grade-A office towers and surrounding amenities comprising Swire Properties’ comprehensive flagship office development. Prior to joining Swire Properties, Yongki previously advised major blue-chip Hong Kong clients in consultancy, advising largely on landlord and tenant matters, including rent review disputes and strategic tenancy administration, as well as on local taxation matters and related litigation. He is an RICS APC assessor and counsellor for candidates in Hong Kong and is closely involved in the ongoing evolution and improvement of the pathway and assessment process recognising future generations of chartered surveyors.