roundtable
The Business Magazine hosted this discussion with the help of private wealth and business law advisers Charles Russell Speechlys at their Guildford offices, at which invited sector representatives discussed . . .
The impacts of digital technology in real estate and construction
Participants
Colin Allan: Managing director southern region, Morgan Lovell
Steven Barker: Chairman, RLF (Robinson Low Francis) construction and property consultants
Rob Driscoll: Legal and commercial director, Building Engineering Services Association
Nick Gray: Regional head of partnerships, CityFibre
Jonathan Hill: Chairman, Scott Brownrigg, architects, planners & designers
Lined up to debate: the Roundtable team
John Burbedge reports the roundtable highlights
Research spotlights ‘The New Real’
David Savage revealed that Charles Russell Speechlys had undertaken authoritative research this year: ‘The New Real: unlocking new gains from smart buildings’.*
“Digital technology advances are driving a new reality in commercial real estate, at all stages of development and occupation, and from the perspectives of multiple stakeholders.
‘The new real’ presents fresh challenges and risks for business professionals to overcome – opportunities to embrace.
“Forward-thinking business leaders are recognising that a smarter built environment can deliver gains stretching far beyond energy efficiency and sustainability — it can also become a source of significant revenue streams, enhance employee productivity and wellbeing, and deliver huge cost savings. Put simply, smart buildings are becoming a critical source of competitive advantage with 38% of those surveyed actively seeking to steal a march on their industry peers.”
40
businessmag.co.uk
Savage explained that the Charles Russell Speechlys (CRS) research, published last month focused on how new digital technology-enabled and technology- led trends might influence the overall economics of real estate.
*CRS Report pdf download available at:
charlesrussellspeechlys.com/insights
New revamps for old?
Peter Laurie wondered how property owners and developers could future-proof their buildings against technological obsolescence. For example, from April 1, 2018 it will be illegal to let or renew the lease of a property that does not meet energy efficiency (EPC) minimum standards. It is estimated 20% of UK commercial property will be impacted.
Steven Barker: “Without a doubt it will cause issues, and not just for offices but also old warehousing and distribution stock. From our (RLF) analysis, the
percentage that won’t make the target is far higher in those sectors.”
It was not necessarily old commercial stock that fell outside the requirements, noted Colin Allan:“Even premises built in the 1980s and early ‘90s are not achieving the EPC ratings. Investment and property companies are looking seriously at how they deal with those buildings. It’s not as simple as knocking them down and starting again; often it is: ‘How do we refurbish these properties and bring them back to the market to a high quality specification with a strong EPC?’”
“But, are all existing buildings able to THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – DECEMBER 16/JANUARY 17
Craig Laubscher: Managing director, Uniq Management Services
John Lohan: Director, Artis, integrated construction project delivery
David Savage: Lead partner, construction & infrastructure, Charles Russell Speechlys
Joe Jeffers: Finance director, Taylor Made Computer Solutions
Peter Laurie: Head of client relations, The Business Magazine
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48