With the Brexit deadline looming, experts gathered last month to examine some of the crucial issues facing the property industry.
These included: How might Brexit impact the economy in the best and worst case scenarios? What legal issues might property professionals face? What are the challenges and opportunities for the real estate investment sector?
An impressive line-up of twenty five speakers and panellists attended the RICS & CRE (European Chapter) Brexit Conference. Through a series of talks and panel debates, attendees were able to gain Brexit insight and analysis across a range of property-related arenas.
The programme included:
Opening remarks by Jonathan Harris CBE, Past-President, RICS and Vice-Chair, CRE European Chapter.
Opening keynote address by Baron Jonathan Hill of Oareford, formerly European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union.
Economists’ question time
Moderated by Hans Vrensen, Managing Director – Head of Research and Strategy, AEW, with introductory address by Vicky Pryce, Economist and Business Consultant.
Panellists included…
Simon Rubinsohn, Chief Economist, RICS
Walter Boettcher, Chief Economist – Director of Research and Forecasting, Colliers International
Petr Barton, Chief Economist, Natland Group
Warwick Lightfoot, Head of Economics and Social Policy, Policy Exchange
Legal question time
Moderated by Peter Cosmetatos, Chief Executive Officer, CREFC Europe.
Panellists included…
Paul Butcher, Brexit Director, Herbert Smith Freehills
Dorothy Livingston, Consultant – Competition, Regulation and Trade, Herbert Smith Freehills
Jeremy Walden, Regional Head of Practice – Real Estate UK and EMEA, Herbert Smith Freehills
Gavin Williams, Partner – Corporate, Herbert Smith Freehills
Afternoon introductory address: John Kraus, Director of External Affairs, RICS
Real estate investors’ question time
Moderated by Sue Forster, Chief Executive, Investment Property Forum, with an introductory address by Stephanie McMahon, Head of Research, BNP Paribas.
Panellists included…
Paul Tebbit, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager – UK Property Fund, BlackRock
Phil Clark, Head of Property Investment, Kames Capital
Nick Chatzitsolis, Managing Director, CBRE-AXIES Greece
Tom Claridge, Executive Director, Julius Baer
Jon Neale, Director – Head of Research, JLL
Closing keynote address: John Plender, Columnist, Financial Times.
Chair’s closing remarks: Tomas Ctibor, Chair, CRE European Chapter.
Networking reception, featuring remarks from Dr Benjamin Martill, Editor of Brexit and Beyond: Rethinking the Futures of Europe.
Want to know more? You can find a summary of the discussions in the article ‘Brexit Explained: Where, How & What’ by Hans Vrensen, CRE, and Peter Costmetatos.