Old hands guide future property people
Mentoring Oxford Brookes University helps property students gain an insight into the industry
Oxford Brookes University’s BSc real estate students will enter the industry in safe hands thanks to a mentoring scheme launched last week.
The scheme gives second-year students a one-to-one connection with a member of the university’s alumni body, Oxford Brookes Real Estate Management Society (OBREMS) and is designed to give them a practical insight into the property profession ahead of their transition from academic to working life.
Jones Lang LaSalle’s UK deputy chairman and Oxford Brookes graduate Andrew Hynard was at the reception to introduce the scheme, while principal lecturer Gina Dalton spoke about the role of a mentor.
Become a mentor to a property student, or learn more about the scheme
Mailbox man gets stamp of approval
The man behind iconic Birmingham developments The Mailbox and The Cube has been recognised at the university where he learned his trade.
Neil Edginton was feted Alumni of the Year in the enterprise and innovation category at Birmingham City University.
He graduated in 1999 with a degree in town planning, then gained a masters in construction management.
He then played a key role in developing The Mailbox with Birmingham Mailbox Ltd, and became a co-founder of Birmingham Development Company, which oversaw development of The Cube. He now runs his own firm, EDG Property.
“The university course gave me grounding for life in the property world,” Edginton said.
London forum puts property world to rights
The second annual London Commercial Forum last month sparked a lively debate that covered everything from the market outlook in 2013 to prospects for office-to-residential conversions and the performance of London’s mayor.
The scene was set at the London Property Professionals event by EGi’s head of London offices research Tom Pilkington, who looked at the prospects for key corporate sectors in the capital.
EG editor Damian Wild sought responses from an expert panel comprising Development Securities’ Duncan Trench, GVA’s Patrick O’Keeffe, Legal & General’s Derek Gilby and NatWest’s Paul Turton.
Speakers and the 100-strong audience then put the property world to rights over drinks, courtesy of Charles Russell.
