RREF Newsletter - Henley Business School

RREF Newsletter
June 2011
Welcome
Bryan Laxton (Trustee)
CEO UK
Cushman & Wakefield LLP
Welcome to the June edition of the RREF Newsletter which focuses on the generosity of donors
and the principle of giving something back. RREF is enormously grateful to all the individuals and
companies who provide much needed financial support. This newsletter includes a case study on
a recent bursary recipient, Sarah Hughes, a note on a new Pioneer, Mark Ridley of Savills, details
of Donor Pin week and the recent RREF Supporters event.
There are also details of the ever popular Annual Dinner in November, a summary of the
Inaugural Annual Lecture and the announcement of the winners of the new Mentoring Awards.
RREF Inaugural Annual Lecture
On Monday 9 May 2011 speakers Paul Clark, Director of Investment and
Asset Management, The Crown Estate, Mark Preston, Group Chief
Executive, Grosvenor, and Toby Shannon, Chief Executive, The Howard
de Walden Estate discussed the topic of 'Central London Estates -
Diversification or Focus, which is the most appropriate strategy'
Mark Preston explained to a sold-out audience why he favours
diversification, showing how Grosvenor has benefitted from investing
across a variety of sectors and international locations. Whereas Toby
Shannon, whose business owns 90 acres of prime in central London,
argued the case for remaining focussed in a market they have known
for hundreds of years, using sector diversification, not location.
Paul Clark then discussed the rationale for diversification within the UK
as well as reviewing the merits and constraints of the Crown Estate's
unique set-up and a property portfolio encompassing many of the UK's
cityscapes, ancient forests, farms, parkland, coastline and communities.
The evening was well received by a high calibre of guests from across
the industry.
The Chair of the
evening, Bryan
Laxton, CEO UK,
Cushman &
Wakefield LLP,
commented: "Even
on the global stage
only London can
boast around 600
acres of truly prime
city centre land
owned by three
major landlords for hundreds of years with a current value around £6
billion yet with quite different strategies. We were very fortunate to
Our Next Event:
RG10 Summer Drinks
Evening
Thursday 16 June from
6pm
Venue: Market Place Bar, 11-
13 Marketplace, London, W1
8AH
Informal drinks for any
Reading graduates of the
past decade.
Any queries please contact
Oliver Sprackling -
Oliver.sprackling@cbre.com
or 07903 057 341
Upcoming Events:
Henley Regatta Day
Friday 1 July from
12.30pm - 5.30pm
Venue: Henley Business
School, Greenlands Campus,
Henley-on-Thames
Tickets: Corporate table of 8
£1,200, individual alumni
tickets £125pp
Enjoy a Champagne and
Pimms reception, a

have the heads of the Crown, Grosvenor and Howard de Walden estates
speak at the inaugural RREF Annual Lecture and explain the reasons for
their different strategies over a number of years.
Each put forward compelling cases for their own strategies and each has
undoubtedly performed in the long run. All three recognised that they
were fortunate to have such prime real estate in the heart of London as
a starting point for their long term investments."
Nick Pemberton, Partner at Colliers International commented: "The
evening was very interesting and the speakers gave us a real insight
into their organisations and the issues they face".
RREF Supporters Event
On Tuesday 24 May, 50 donors, including Founder Members and
Pioneers, plus key alumni and industry contacts gathered in the new
Henley Business School at the University of Reading for the first
annual RREF Supporters event. The event aimed to recognise those
who have helped RREF to grow and who have supported the School
of Real Estate & Planning and its students over the past decade.
Throughout the evening, guests were able to learn a little about the
current work and recent achievements of RREF and also to listen to
a talk on "The Future of Higher Education: Challenges for the
Education of the Next Generation of Real Estate and Planning
Professionals" by Prof. Ginny Gibson & Roger Gibbard. A networking
drinks and canapé reception followed and a number of people took
the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour around the impressive
Business School building, which was partly funded by a number of
the guests in attendance.
sumptuous three course lunch
with wine, a boat trip on the
River Thames to view the
races and afternoon tea on
the lawn.
RREF Regional Receptions
Birmingham: GVA,
Brindleyplace
Date: Wednesday 14
September
Manchester: Allied London,
Spinningfields
Date: Wednesday
28 September
The evenings will offer a short
presentation with the
opportunity to network at an
informal drinks reception with
fellow Alumni and other
industry professionals based
in the area.
8th Breakfast Forum
'What should you own in
the next five years'
Tuesday 11 October,
7.45am-9.45am
Speakers: Mike Slade, Chief
Executive, Helical Bar, Toby
Gibbon, Partner, GM Real, Bill
Hughes, Managing Director,
Legal & General Property
Chair: Bryan Laxton, CEO UK,
Cushman & Wakefield
Venue: Hogan Lovells, London
Tickets: £40 / Concession:
£20
The event, kindly sponsored by Savills, was also an opportunity for
RREF to thank their Corporate Patrons who generously donate
£5,000 per year to support RREF's core activities and projects. Each
were presented with a plaque and certificate from the charity's
Chairman, Prof. Tony Downes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor University of
Reading, which it is hoped will be displayed proudly at their
respective offices.
Nicole Gillham, Executive Director of RREF commented: "This was a
great opportunity to bring together those alumni and industry
partners who have helped make RREF the successful educational
charity and alumni association it is today. From a small group of
Founder donors to over 6,000 alumni members and sixteen
Corporate Patrons and many other firms which so generously
support us. The students that we are able to help either financially
or through our mentoring programme and internship scheme are a
credit to RREF and Reading."
RREF Bursaries - Make a difference today
So far this academic year, RREF has awarded 22 undergraduate and
postgraduate students bursaries totalling £49,300. A recent recipient
from the hardship fund is Sarah Hughes who is studying the Flexible
Masters in Real Estate Investment and Finance and was awarded a RREF
Bursary and the Clayton Bursary which is generously sponsored by
alumna Sue Clayton.
RG10 Charity Rugby Match,
Reading V Oxford Brookes
Thursday 20 October 2011
from 7.30pm
Venue: Richmond Athletic
Ground, TW9 2SS
Players and spectators
welcome!
To register your interest
contact
Gavin.kamara@cbre.com
RREF 10th Annual Dinner
Wednesday 2 November
2011 from 6.45pm - 1am
Venue: Grange St. Paul's
Hotel, London
Tickets:
£95 - Alumni Ticket*
£1,000 - Corporate table of
10

Sarah commented: "My current financial circumstances mean that I
would struggle to afford to continue studying the Masters degree I
started last year. With the support of these bursaries I am now able to
carry on with my degree and undertake two more modules without an
unwieldy financial burden. Education is something I value very highly,
and I find it heartwarming that RREF contribute so actively and
positively to people's lives in this way by removing financial barriers to
studying. I can't thank enough the donors whose generosity enabled the
bursary to be awarded - their kindness means so much to me."
It is thanks to all RREF donors - Pioneers, Friends and Corporate
Patrons that RREF is able to support students like Sarah who, without
financial help from RREF, may not be able to continue studying. There is
little financial support available to Masters students from other sources
such as the University, banks or the Government.
If you would like to support a Bursary and/or the Hardship Fund please
contact Nicole Gillham n.gillham@rref.reading.ac.uk or 0118 378 4193.
*£65 - Concession - 2011
graduates
*£75 - Concession - 2007,
2008, 2009, 2010 graduates
To book a place at any of
the above events please
contact Laura Coates
l.coates@rref.reading.ac.uk
or 0118 378 4191
Forward the email
to a colleague
Alumni News
Celebrating Universities Week and Donor
Pin Week 13- 19 June
Today is the first day of Universities Week, a
national campaign which aims to highlight the
essential contribution and impact of our country's
universities. The University of Reading will be
running a number of events during the Week,
including the opening of the new Enterprise
Centre.
We would like to thank all our donors for supporting RREF and the
University of Reading, and have encouraged all our Pioneers, Founders
and Friends to wear their donor pins during Donor Pin Week. This is a
celebration of the generosity of our donors and a national initiative
aimed at raising awareness of philanthropic support for higher
education.
If you would like to donate, there is no better time to make a gift,
because until 31 July 2011, it could be worth up to 58% more at no
extra cost to you. The Government Matched Giving Scheme means that
every donation is matched 1:3, adding 33% to your donation. With Gift
Aid the value of your gift will therefore be increased significantly,
enabling us to support more students through their academic and extracurricular
experiences.
New Pioneer - Mark Ridley, Chairman and Chief Executive
- Savills UK Commercial
Aged 49 Mark joined Savills in July 1996
and was appointed to the Group Executive
Board when it was formed in February
2008. He was appointed Chairman and
Chief Executive of Savills Commercial
Limited in January 2008 and prior to this
appointment was head of the Manchester
office, which he set up in 1996.
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details changed
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School of
Real Estate
& Planning
Henley Business School
University of Reading Alumni
Join Us Online
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group of students'.
Mark attended the University of Reading
and studied BSc Land Management from
1981 to 1984. He recently came back to
campus to see the new Henley Business
School building and give a talk to students
about life at Savills, saying: 'I was
delighted to help - they were a very good
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RG10 Update
Fresh from the RREF Supporters Event,
it remains a timely reminder of RREF's
phenomenal success that it has grown
to become the sector's largest alumni
body in just ten years. Perhaps taken
for granted, the reality is that RREF's
model is enviously admired by rival academic disciplines and institutions
alike.
Click here to join us on Linkedin
At the Annual Lecture in May, members were treated to a rare debate
between the Grosvenor, Crown and Howard de Walden Estates. The
significance of the occasion was not lost on a packed audience. Again
this demonstrated RREF's ability in attracting some of the biggest
names in the industry to share their experiences.
Going forwards the RG10 committee are looking at exciting new events
to add to the calendar. We will continue to keep you updated and
encourage anyone to share with us suggestions and ideas for the future.
Next up we have our quarterly drinks on the 16th June at Market Bar
and we hope to see many of you there - all 2011 graduates welcome!
Oliver Sprackling (2009 graduate), CBRE
RREF Update
Mentoring Awards 2011 - THE WINNERS!
Thank you to all of those Mentors and Mentees who nominated their
respective partner for the new Mentoring Awards launched at the
Mentoring reception in February. It was a difficult decision with some
very strong contenders, but we are pleased to announce the following
winners:
Mentor of the Year - Nick Pemberton, Colliers International
Mentee of the Year - Georgina Botterill, BSc Real Estate - Part 3
Georgina was nominated by her mentor Holly Franklin
(MSc Real Estate 2006) for her professionalism,
maturity and commitment to the Programme among
many other reasons and is without a doubt a model
mentee who has worked hard to make her mentoring
relationship a resounding success.
Georgina remarked: "I am delighted to have won this
award, having greatly enjoyed the regular contact with
my mentor throughout my university career. The RREF
Mentoring scheme works well to improve students'
understanding of the surveying industry by enabling interaction with
experienced professionals. The opportunity to take part in such a
scheme sets the University of Reading apart as a leading provider of
commercially aware graduates."
Nick's nomination stemmed from his dedication to the Programme with
time and expertise and his pure determination to help his mentee
Graham Sloan (BSc Real Estate) succeed, going above and beyond the
call of duty as a mentor.
Nick commented: "I have found the mentoring process
hugely rewarding and would encourage other Land
Management alumni to become involved. It has been
made easier by having a hard-working and dedicated
mentee, who has secured a graduate position with one
of the main advisory firms."
Both recipients will receive a prize and an award,
along with a VIP ticket to the 10th Annual Dinner in
November where they will be saying a few words
about winning and their participation.
If you would like to offer your time as a mentor to a student, please

contact Emma Pryke 0118 378 4192 e.pryke@rref.reading.ac.uk
Agents, clients and old friends battle it out at the RREF
8th Annual Golf Day
On Thursday 19 May RREF hosted 50 alumni and industry figures for
a competitive 18 holes of golf at Mill Ride, the championship course
based in Ascot.
Players arrived to glorious sunshine and enjoyed a BBQ lunch on the
terrace overlooking the 18th hole. Whilst on the course business
strategy was put aside as teams of University friends, colleagues
and clients focused on keeping out of the six water features and
winning one of the prizes on offer. There were competitions for the
'Longest Drive' and 'Nearest the Pin' along with Player of the Year
and as it was they all went to Neil Yeomans, part of 'Team 1979'.
Golfing veterans were quick to warn Neil that he would need to keep
practicing to hang on to the title next year!
James Abrahams, Partner at Allsop, the event sponsor, helped to
organise the day and commented: 'A fantastic day where we were
delighted to lend our support as sponsor to RREF. I suspect the
members will be finding Allsop logoed balls around Mill Ride Golf
Club for many years to come!"
The day raised over £3,500 for the charity which will support the
RREF Hardship Fund for students currently studying at Reading.
To play next year contact Laura l.coates@rref.reading.ac.uk
What's happening at Reading
Women in Property Student Awards 2011
Erica Macheriotou, a Part 2 student on the BSc Real Estate programme
and winner of the CoreNet Global UK Essay Prize in 2010, was one of
the few students shortlisted in the South East region for the Women in
Property National Student Awards this year.
The Awards were launched in 2007 to mark the 20th Birthday of the
Association of Women in Property. Their aspiration, as an organisation,
is to recognise excellence, encourage up-and-coming talent and nurture
the role models of tomorrow. Erica's nomination was based on her
impressive academic abilities (gaining one of the highest overall marks
in the first year of the BSc Real Estate course), management of personal
development, commitment to the industry and more.
Roger Gibbard, Head of School commented, "It was great to see the
School of Real Estate & Planning justifiably represented in a group of
such promising talented young women. Unfortunately her presentation
was not selected to go forward to the National Awards, just losing out to
another Reading student from the School of Construction Management.
However, Erica was able to demonstrate her skills and passion for
property in her display at this week's regional award ceremony, and was

able to discuss her project with key people from the industry."
Students visit the Blade
As part of the restructured undergraduate
programme, the first year Real Estate and
Planning undergraduates have undertaken
a series of projects throughout the year
which are designed to develop their
research skills as well as making
connections between the various elements
of their studies.
These projects are based on real-world
scenarios and are all focused on Reading
and so they now know the Reading
property market almost as well as they
know the bars!
Ed Jones of PMB Holdings (BSc Land Management 1988), offered to
show the students around The Blade (Reading's new iconic office
building) and it seemed like a fitting end to the projects. Indeed it
was; Ed gave the students a valuable insight into the many aspects
of the development process through the story of this building and of
course, the view from the top floor was amazing despite the rain.
Cathy Hughes, Undergraduate Admissions Tutor, commented "It was
a great visit - good to have a new landmark building in Reading and
also to have alumni like Ed Jones who give so much back to the
current students."
Support us - become a Friend of RREF
All gifts to the Reading Real Estate Foundation will be directed to support
education at the School of Real Estate & Planning within Henley Business
School, helping to provide student bursaries, career development activities,
outreach projects, advisory boards and an Alumni Association.
Just £10 per month makes a difference. There are over 5,500 alumni and
we no longer have a membership fee, but as a charity we do rely on your
generosity as alumni to support us. 100% of your donation is used to
develop and sustain our core educational activities and bursaries, making a
difference to the next generation of Real Estate and Planning professionals.
To give to RREF please click on 'Donate Now'(right-hand side of this email)
or visit http://www.rref.net/
Registered in England Company No: 4347140 Charity No: 1092627
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