Commercial Property

“I was delighted to be invited to Chair the Commercial Property Professional Group Panel – together with my Vice-Chair, Jonathan Theobald, this is giving us the chance to engage and work with enthusiastic members right across the broad commercial property sector. We are seeking to build the Commercial Property PGP to represent our 20,000 or so members globally and cover the full range of expertise they apply every day. ”

Roderick Houston

Chair

The Purpose of the Commercial Property PGP is to provide market insight and advise RICS on programmes of work covering technical standards, CPD, conferences and training, journals, policy, research, and relevant competences for APC pathways, all related to commercial property.

The key market insights that the PGP have been discussing are:

Sustainability / energy / climate change / decarbonisation
AI / data / PropTech
The rapidly changing demand for different types of commercial real estate.
Changes in legislation, what they may mean for our current stock, and how they will affect the market.
Issues affecting commercial property landlords and tenants.
Diversity, equity and inclusion in the sector.
Flexible/hybrid office space and the impact on valuations.

The PGP are advocating for the work RICS is doing in the commercial sector:

Updated and consolidated standards on property agency and management.
Updating the Service charges in commercial property standard.
Responding to government consultations/inquiries e.g. the House of Lords Built Environment Committee Inquiry into high streets in towns and small cities and Clarity on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for Non-Domestic Properties
Work undertaken on data and AI to support Members so far.
Yulia Pak MRICS and the urban planning balancing act

The RICS Podcast

Listen to the PGP Commercial Property podcast featuring members of the PGP: Maria Wiedner MRICS, Nella Pang MRICS and RICS Head of Practice Paul Bagust.

This episode features a discussion around the Commercial Property PGP, which covers all-important areas like sustainability, AI and data, and the changing demand in commercial property.

Also available on Apple Music and Spotify.

Chair

Roderick Houston MRICS

Engagement Director (Construction & Real Estate), Net Zero Now

Roddy is a Chartered Surveyor with extensive experience in commercial real estate. He is currently leading a team at Net Zero Now, a climate-tech company, working to improve carbon accounting and decarbonisation in the construction supply chain. He also acts as a consultant, providing strategy and transactions advice to a number of clients. Before this, he was Deputy Director (London) in the Government Property Agency, leading a team to transform the Civil Estate office portfolio across London, delivering a number of major schemes across the “Whitehall Campus”, Canary Wharf, Croydon and Stratford. Previous roles include as an Estate Strategist with Capita; as an Asset Management Director at Land Securities / TeleReal Trillium; as a management consultant in KPMG’s Property & Programmes Consulting group; and as property asset manager in Coopers & Lybrand’s Business Recovery & Insolvency division. He trained at Knight Frank & Rutley. Roddy has therefore worked in both leading professional advisory firms as well “client-side” organisations, serving a wide range of both private and public sector clients, across all kinds of different, commercial, property asset classes. Roddy was President of the Cambridge University Land Society from 2012-2014, and still chairs its Commercial Property Forum. Amongst other roles, he is a founder member of the Cambridge Land Economy Advisory Board.

Vice Chair

Jonathan Theobald MRICS

Head of Investment Analytics, Derwent London Plc

Jonathan is Head of Investment Analytics at Derwent London Plc, the largest London focused real estate investment trust (REIT). This role includes reviewing value add opportunities from within the Groups property portfolio as well as sourcing potential new acquisitions. With extensive experience in real estate valuation, part of his role involves the overseeing of the Groups bi-annual valuation process, liaising with the external valuers and production of the investor results. In other areas of the role Jonathan has expanded his experience in development projects, undertaking the development management of several office, retail, and mixed-use schemes. This has involved working with consultants and design teams from concept implementation and planning through to construction practical completion. Jonathan has been with Derwent London for 11 years. Prior to joining Derwent London, Jonathan spent 11 years at CBRE predominantly within the Central London Valuation Advisory department where he undertook portfolio and loan security valuations for large London focused property companies and investment banks. This time included a period in Sydney, Australia where he specialized in valuation advisory work for commercial assets within the central business district, particularly shopping centres and mixed-use commercial schemes. Jonathan qualified from the University of Reading with a BSc Hons in Land Management and is a Professional Member of the RICS, general practice division.

Members

Ola Alade

Director, Olawill

Ola Alade is the founder of Olawill Limited, a company specialising in providing property advice to SMEs. Before establishing his business, he amassed seven years of experience as an asset manager in the property industry, with a focus on diverse asset types including healthcare, office, retail, and industrial properties. Ola's expertise and leadership were recognised in the 2022 cohort of EG's Future Leaders programme. He has been a finalist for the RICS Young Surveyor of the Year award in 2020, 2021, and 2023, demonstrating his consistent excellence and contribution to the field. His insights and thought leadership were also featured in LinkedIn's 2019 #InTogether campaign, showcasing his influence and connectivity within the professional community. Adept at public speaking, Ola has shared his expertise at various prestigious forums, including a panel discussion at MIPIM 2019. His commitment to the profession extends to nurturing the next generation of professionals; he is an APC chair and assessor and contributes as a practitioner external examiner on the UCEM exam board.

Fabio Filadelli

Business Development Director, Nhood

Fabio is a senior real estate executive with a strong background in asset management, retail real estate, and urban regeneration. After graduating with honors in Economics from the University of Genoa, he began his career in 2010 at Cogest Retail, a leading Italian shopping center management company later acquired by Cushman & Wakefield, where he managed prime assets across the country. In 2016, he joined Ingka Centres (IKEA Group) as Operations Manager, contributing to the launch and management of ELNÒS Shopping in Italy, and later leading the start-up of the group’s operations in the UK with the acquisition and repositioning of Kings Mall, a major urban mixed-use asset in London. After earning a Master’s in Real Estate Investment Management from 24Ore Business School, he joined Nhood, a key European real estate player backed by the AFM (Association Familiale Mulliez). There, he oversaw a portfolio of high-profile assets including Merlata Bloom Milano, a next-generation lifestyle center. In 2023, he was appointed Head of Property Management and became a board member of the Italian National Council of Shopping Centers. In 2024, Fabio joined the Nhood Global team as Business Development Director, with responsibility for expanding operations across Southern Europe and Central and Eastern Europe.

Yongki Hong

Senior Manager, Portfolio - Swire Properties Limited

Yongki is a Senior Portfolio Manager at Swire Properties. Having worked in managing office assets in Pacific Place, he is now part of a team overseeing the holistic property and asset management in Taikoo Place, a portfolio of ten Grade-A office towers and surrounding amenities comprising Swire Properties’ comprehensive flagship office development. Prior to joining Swire Properties, Yongki previously advised major blue-chip Hong Kong clients in consultancy, advising largely on landlord and tenant matters, including rent review disputes and strategic tenancy administration, as well as on local taxation matters and related litigation. He is an RICS APC assessor and counsellor for candidates in Hong Kong and is closely involved in the ongoing evolution and improvement of the pathway and assessment process recognising future generations of chartered surveyors.

Muhammad JawadUrRehman

Senior Manager, IMKAN Properties

Muhammad Jawad, CPM®, MRICS is a senior real estate leader with over 14 years of experience in property, asset, and community management across the UAE. As Senior Manager at IMKAN Properties and President of the IREM® UAE Chapter, he champions professional standards, education, and innovation in the field. The first Certified Property Manager in the Middle East, Jawad is also an IREM faculty member dedicated to advancing real estate management excellence globally.

Meredith May

Deputy Director, Office of Government Property

Meredith May is a chartered surveyor with over 20 years of commercial property market expertise, currently serving as Deputy Director of Strategy and Assurance at the Office of Government Property, Cabinet Office, where she leads strategic asset management and policy development for the UK government estate. Prior to joining the Civil Service Meredith worked for over 10 years in the retail sector where she was responsible for defining and delivering estate strategies, asset management, governance and income generation for national retailers. With extensive experience across the sector, she is also designated as a Certified Member of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management.

Yulia Pak MRICS

Creative Enterprise Zone Manager, London Borough of Tower Hamlets and London Borough of Hackney

Yulia Pak is a real estate and urban regeneration expert with extensive experience in urban economics and development, and a keen interest in place shaping at the intersection of planning, growth and cultural policies. Having gained extensive international experience with leading property and economic advisory firms including JLL, CBRE and WSP, Yulia is currently leading on one of Mayor of London’s strategic cultural infrastructure and inward investment initiatives in East London, HWFI Creative Enterprise Zone. The Zones are designated areas where pro-cultural and pro-innovation policies are brought forward to protect affordable creative space, support creative businesses and start-ups, boost local economy and employment, and grow London’s role as a global creative city. Yulia is a member of the RICS Commercial Property Professional Group Panel, supporting the Knowledge and Practice Committee, and is a part of the MHCLG newly formed Register of Specialists. She has judged on the RICS Matrics Surveyor Awards panels and is supporting RICS’ early engagement initiatives as a RICS Inspire Ambassador.

Nella Pang

Managing Director, Omega RE

Nella Pang, the Managing Director of Omega RE, is a trailblazer in the property industry, continually pushing the boundaries of real estate through innovation and technology. As the founder of Omega RE in 2020, Nella's leadership has been pivotal in achieving significant milestones, including becoming the first B Corp certified commercial real estate advisory firm outside of London in 2023. This certification highlights Omega RE's dedication to social and environmental responsibility. Nella's innovative spirit is evident in her approach to integrating PropTech into clients' real estate portfolios, enabling them to leverage key performance indicators for measurable success. Her client-centric philosophy has led to long-term partnerships and remarkable growth, such as advising a core client in expanding from 5 to 34 sites across the UK and increasing their business valuation sixfold from 2022 to 2024. Under her guidance, Omega RE fosters a culture of inclusivity and forward-thinking, demonstrated by initiatives like the Strong Female Lead Initiative and a commitment to gender diversity in recruitment. Nella also hosts the Let’s Talk South Coast Podcast, promoting industry discourse and attracting investment. Nella's innovative projects, such as the UK's largest clean air mural in Southampton, exemplify her commitment to environmental consciousness and unconventional solutions. Her influence extends through leadership roles on esteemed boards, including the Southampton Chamber of Commerce and the RICS Commercial Property Panel, where she contributes to shaping industry practices globally. Recognised with accolades like the Best Newcomer of the Year and MD of Omega RE Leader of the Year, Nella remains a visionary leader dedicated to driving positive change. Her ongoing efforts to mentor the next generation and support disadvantaged children in STEM underscore her commitment to education and inclusivity. Nella Pang stands as a pioneering force, continually staying ahead of the curve in real estate, leveraging technology, and fostering innovation to benefit her clients and the industry at large.

Jonathan Rawcliffe

Inward Investment Lead, East Midlands Freeport

Jon is a Qualified Chartered Surveyor. He gained MRICS status in 1997 following completion of BSc (Hons) Estate Surveying degree. He is a Member of the RICS East Midlands regional board for a term of seven years (until 2022) and a founding member of a very successful property & development sector networking group (2017-2023). He is also a Member of the MK:U Advisory Board; the recently created Milton Keynes University. Jon has twenty years professional areal estate experience with a sole focus upon commercial property. He’s had several roles spanning cross agency, acquisition, development and investment. Whilst RICS membership has been retained through-out, and commercial property remains entirely central to his current role, he is technically deemed as ‘non-practising’ since Summer 2015. Following an eight-year tenure working for a Local Enterprise Partnership, Jon changed roles in August 2023 to join the East Midlands Freeport team. His job title and primary function involves securing inward investment to the ‘tax’ sites within the Freeport. These strategic sites comprise over 1,300 acres of land which – subject to planning – will all be developed for a range of employment uses, thereby straddling many aspects of commercial property. The Freeport closely aligns with the Government’s objectives; industrial strategy, economic growth and sustainability. Jon has direct working relationships with MHCLG, DBT/Office for Investment, the Notts/Derby combined authority, Connected Places Catapult and others.

Teck Chew Tan

Head, Investment (Singapore), Sime Darby Property

Teck Chew is based in Singapore and has extensive experience in real estate, with a focus in Southeast Asia. He has a distinctive blend of experience and track record in consulting and both buy and side sides. Teck Chew is Head, Investment (Singapore) for Sime Darby Property, a Malaysian developer. He previously spearheading the expansion of CBRE’s Industrial and Logistics services across Southeast Asia, where he helped clients on advisory, market entries and cross border investments. He started his career with Jones Lang LaSalle in their rotational programme, where he did stints in facility management, auction sales and corporate capital markets. He gained invaluable experience in financial analysis, real estate solutioning and deal structuring, focusing on complicated transactions like sales & leaseback and build-to-suit projects. He went on to be part of the pioneer team in LOGOS, a logistics developer, when they were starting operations in Southeast Asia. He aided in the setup of Indonesia venture and grew the portfolio in his 6 years there. https://www.linkedin.com/in/teck-chew-tan-mrics-938b9524/

Maria Wiedner

Founder and CEO of Cambridge Finance since 2016

Maria Wiedner, Founder and CEO of Cambridge Finance since 2016, specializes in financial modeling, analysis, and property industry consulting. As CEO of Real Estate Women, CIC, she advocates for diversity and fair representation. Maria is a Real Estate Finance Specialist, APC Assessor for RICS, and teaches Real Estate Financial Modeling at IE School of Architecture and Design in Madrid. She contributes as an advisor and columnist for leading UK property magazines, BE News and Property Week. With a diverse background in quantitative roles within the financial sector, including property derivatives, renewable energy analysis, and REITs research, Maria has become a prominent figure in real estate financial modeling. She emphasizes the adoption of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) method. As an advocate for women's career progression, Maria is a founding mentor of the Mentoring Cycle, supporting the next generation of female talent. A graduate of Fundacao Getulio Vargas and the University of Cambridge, Maria is a CFA Charterholder and MRICS Member. Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, German, Finnish, and English, she brings a global perspective shaped by living in various countries.