Our Year 12 Real Estate Conference, part of the Haberdashers’ Advantage: Futures, initiative, brought together industry experts and students for an engaging two-day event.
Participants explored emerging trends in real estate, visited key sites across the City of London and Kings Cross, and engaged in meaningful conversations with Haberdashers working in the property sector.
Day one of the conference included a trip to the New London Centre, home of NLA, London’s built environment community, and the New London Model and City Model (a 1:2000 scale 12.5 metre long model of London). The model stretches from King’s Cross to Peckham and some students could even spot their homes or school. For others, this was their first trip to London and the walk from Haberdashers’ Hall to the London Centre allowed them to see sights such as St Paul’s Cathedral, the Old Bailey and in the distance the Shard.
Students were introduced to the model by Alderman Sir William Russell, Master of the Haberdashers’ Company and former Lord Mayor of the City of London. He spoke about the contemporary relevance of the city, connecting this to the history of the Haberdashers’ Company. Students were then supported to consider their own urban renewal project, with help from built environment professionals from New London Architecture, Avison Young and Montagu Evans.
Day one concluded with a networking reception and dinner where students had opportunity to meet over 40 real estate professionals in roles ranging from architecture, planning, finance, asset management, marketing, construction and much more.
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Haberdasher students on a site visit
Day two began with visits to four different sites with property agents or development professionals who work with each location. Our thanks to P-Three and Farebrother whose staff who enabled the visit, as well as staff at each site who made students feel welcome.
- One New Change
- Broadgate
- The Royal Exchange
- King’s Cross and Coal Drops Yard
During the visits students were asked to consider different trends in property and how these are affected by, or effect, different community groups. For example, considering how trends such as remote and hybrid working impact retail, and how a focus on green living and sustainability might influence the physical spaces of office buildings. These insights were shared on their return to Haberdashers’ Hall when students presented their own ideas to transform the site they had visited. Each student was given responsibility for one aspect within their group, with all practicing public speaking through sharing their ideas to the room. A fun snakes and ladders game, where market trends were used to advance or reverse progress, depending on the type of property, helped distil this knowledge.
The day finished with careers panels where they heard first hand from people working in the sector, including a panel of four Haberdasher members and Paddy Allen, Chair of Pathways to Property.
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Student feedback emphasises appreciation of networking opportunities, enjoyment of practical activities and growth in confidence across the two days.
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