From 30 September to 2 October, REA brought together 25 members from over 17 nationalities for three days of company visits, case studies and time together in London.
The group represented 11 chapters: Copenhagen, Paris, Milan, Lisbon, Vienna, Warsaw, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Cambridge, Oxford and London. The programme took members into the offices across the city to meet and learn from the people behind the leading firms.
Day 1: Greystar and Citi
The program started at Greystar’s office, where members received an introduction to the platform and how its business fits together. It gave the group a strong introduction to one of the largest and most competitive owners and developers of real estate.
After lunch, the group headed to Citi in Canary Wharf for a session spanning corporate real estate and investment banking, hearing from professionals about their work and the bank’s involvement in the sector.
Dinner brought everyone together that evening. With more than 17 nationalities around the table, there was plenty to talk about beyond real estate, and time to get to know the people they would be spending the next two days with.
Day 2: Franklin Templeton, Eurazeo and a Private Dinner
Thursday started early at Franklin Templeton, where its professionals introduced the firm’s real estate private equity platform and its focus on social infrastructure. The group then welcomed the Chairwoman of the Bank of England’s Property Forum for a conversation about the Bank’s role, her own career and her advice for those starting out. It was a particularly personal and engaging part of the programme, offering valuable insights for members at the beginning of their careers.
From there, the group crossed London to Mayfair for a session with Eurazeo. Working through a recent acquisition in Italy brought the discussion down to the transaction itself, with members exploring the investment case alongside the professionals involved.
Afterwards, the group had time to explore London, including a stop outside the Bank of England, before heading to a pub ahead of dinner.
That evening, REA hosted a private dinner at the City University Club, joined by young professionals and alumni from REA’s UK chapters. The setting gave everyone time for longer conversations, and the evening continued well beyond dinner.
Day 3: Barclays and KKR
Friday brought the group back to Canary Wharf, this time to Barclays’ headquarters. An interactive session with professionals from its real estate investment banking team covered the business, their career paths and opportunities within the firm.
The final formal visit was to KKR, where members met professionals from both the real estate equity and credit teams. Actual case studies helped explain the firm’s investment strategies and hands-on approach to improving the businesses and assets it invests in.
The group stayed afterwards for drinks, snacks and conversations with the team into the evening, before heading to one last dinner together.
London’s place in the network
Over three days, members heard how firms approach the same sector from very different positions: operating real estate, advising companies, providing credit and investing equity. The case studies and conversations gave detail to those differences, while travelling between offices offered a fairly thorough introduction to London’s geography and culture.
The trip was also REA’s first cross-border programme in the UK, bringing its UK chapters together with members from across continental Europe. A second London City Trip is already planned for this academic year, alongside further programmes connecting the UK chapters, as London becomes a hub for REA’s wider EMEA network.
