Some of the best minds in the property business will discuss the developments shaping tomorrow’s market at the 2010 Financial Times Commercial Property Conference at the Millenium Mayfair Hotel on September 29.
A key subject will be how sustainable the current rebound from the fourth quarter of 2009 is. Top discussion points will be lending and the renewed interest from institutional investors in property in a climate where continued vacancies and low rents prevail.
Martin Wolf, chief economics commentator at the Financial Times will take a look at the global, macro-economic outlook for the next 18 months and assess the impact of some longer term trends on alternative asset markets.
Ginny Gibson, professor of corporate real estate at the University of Reading School of Real Estate and Planning and Leanne Lachman, president of Lachman Associates will chair a panel discussion looking at the ways in which people interact, work, purchase and consume as a result of advancements in technology as well as demographic changes. They will be examining what impact these trends will have on the property needs of city government, companies and retailers.
Experts, including Nigel Roberts, chairman of European research at Jones Lang LaSalle, will give their views on the most promising new markets and locations and the type of property investment likely to be available.
A second panel discussion will look at what new sources of funding are on the horizon and where they come from. Included will be a look at commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS) maturing over the next three years, the impact of financial stimulus packages and an examination of financial vehicles.
This session also takes a look at how relationships between players in the property market are changing, trends in transparency and consistency of performance indicators and measurement models in property valuation.
A number of chief executive officers including Scott Barnes of Grant Thornton and Serena Althaus of Ferugson Partners Europe, will discuss how they are balancing the need for experience in dealing with the impact of economic downturns with the need for innovation that will drive future growth, as well as how they are managing the increasing demands of investors, lenders and shareholders and, not least, their brand value in the face of public distrust of the financial services industry.
Participants will be able to share their views on the key issues that will drive development of the market through 2011.
