Industry leaders/Outlook 2013: Forecast 2013

PropertyEU asked six leading European real estate organisations to give their views on the challenges facing them and their members in the year ahead. Despite the downturn and weak industry sentiment - some even say because of it - all six have increased their membership over the past year and thus have reason to be optimistic. Looming European legislation is proving to be a major driver behind the membership growth as various industry segments - from listed companies to non-listed funds to shopping centres - seek to make their voice heard in Brussels.

'More regulatory twists in road ahead’ Philip Charls - CEO EPRA

Name the 3 biggest challenges facing EPRA in 2013 and how you will deal with them.
1. We continue to put pressure on the decision-makers in Germany to embrace the listed real estate sector. Over the past four years, the German real estate market has been tarnished by the open-ended funds issue, with much of investor capital remaining tied up in an outdated investment model.

'Fund industry needs global benchmark’ Matthias Thomas - CEO INREV

Name the three biggest challenges facing INREV in 2013.
Our focus over the last few years has been to develop and implement workable standards which properly reflect the needs of the industry and which are globally applicable. This year, for example, we have made considerable strides forward with the introduction of the Standard Data Delivery Sheet.

'Middle class in emerging markets is growing’ Mike Morrissey, managing director ICSC Europe

How will you deal with these challenges?
ICSC’s European membership numbers are at an all-time high and with members determined to use their membership organisation to speak on their behalf, ICSC really does represent the industry. As the power of the European Union grows with every treaty, especially in the three areas most affecting retail development - environment, energy and financial - our growing public affairs work is helping to making this industry’s voice heard and understood within
the European Union.

‘We will strengthen our ties in Russia further’ Liliane van Cauwenbergh, managing director EMEA RICS

For 2013, is the glass half full or half empty?
Our glass is definitely three quarters full! We have made great progress in the past year and have many achievements to celebrate, and to look forward to, including:
- A continuously increasing interest in RICS status across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, where we now have 8,541 qualified members and over 260 firms regulated by RICS.

‘We will be watching the lending gap closely’ Joe Montgomery, CEO ULI Europe

For 2013, is the glass half full or half empty?
The glass is always half full. Real estate by its very nature is an optimistic industry which adopts fresh ideas and seizes new opportunities. We do not anticipate market conditions getting any easier in 2013 but there is an increased confidence among our members that their businesses have the right plans in place to allow them to adapt to the ‘new normal’.

‘Further shift to people-focused metrics’ Richard Kadzis, Vice President Strategic Communications, CoreNet Global

Name the 3 biggest challenges facing CoreNet Global in 2013.
As we look ahead to another year of adapting to the new economy, CoreNet Global foresees a watershed opportunity for corporate real estate (CRE) industry change. Bigpicture forces like economic uncertainty, increasing complexity and managing the risk surrounding the sheer deluge of information we receive each day (primarily though digital media, though increasingly through simulated environments) will no doubt set the context for another major transformation in business.

Click on the link below for the full interviews with the industry leaders