SIOR International European Conference 2022
The SIOR European Regional Council hosted our third SIOR International European Conference in Dublin, 2022. The conference was another excellent opportunity for SIOR members from around the globe to network, learn and do business together.
Agenda
11 July – 12 July 2022SIORide for SIOR Foundation Ukrainian Appeal, Dublin to Kilkenny (and back)
Day 1 Monday 11th July Dublin to Kilkenny (110km)
The day began with a short transfer from the Conrad Hotel away from the city traffic to the outskirts of Dublin and the small village of Manor Kilbride where our cycle began.
Linking Dublin and Kilkenny, this cycle was an attractive challenge on quiet country roads getting to experience what makes the Irish countryside a unique and wonderful place. The route avoided traffic so we could enjoy gently rolling countryside, trying to keep the terrain away from major climbs, so as to make this ride suitable to the less experienced cyclist. The scenic Blessington lakes are not far from the edge of Dublin and we cycled through pleasant small towns and villages, such as Dunlavin and Moone (with its famous High cross) and passed ruined castles and farms. As we get close to Carlow, we utilised a section of the Gordon Bennett route, used in the 1903 motor race of that name. Kilkenny is known as the marble city and has many medieval buildings strung along narrow lanes connecting the 12 Century castle and its cathedral. Here you will spent a night in one of the cities fine hotels, enjoy a meal together and visit one of the great pubs in the city.
REA Boyd’s kindly agreed to sponsor the SIORiders’ dinners & drinks on the evening of Monday 11th July.
The event was held in an exclusive private outdoor venue, Rothe House & Garden. We were spoilt by REA Boyd’s, showcasing local Irish produce, beer and some fine Bordeaux wine from the French chateau of the Saby Family. We were also treated to authentic traditional Irish music and dancing.
Day 2 Tuesday 12th July Return to Dublin (125km)
For the second day the cycle took a different route back to Dublin. The route was a little hillier as it will run through the beautiful Wicklow Mountains National Park. The national park covers quite a large area and is surprisingly underdeveloped being so close to a Capital city. For the more experienced cyclist there was an option to tackle Sally Gap, one of the country’s highest roads. The tour finished south of Dublin in the seaside town of Greystones. SIOR arranged a coach transfer from there back into Dublin City Centre, to the Conrad, ready for the conference that commenced on 13th July 2022.
The rides will be fully supported with guides, mechanics and back up vans. Lunch will be provided in a pub at just over halfway and feeding stations will be along the route.
11 July – 12 July 2022Sight-Seeing Support Trip for the SIORide
There was also a two day sight-seeing trip between Dublin and Kilkenny, supporting, in spirit if not physically, the SIORiders who were completing the 235 km (147 mile) round trip. We travelled in a luxury minibus, joining the SIORiders for their pub lunches on both days but also for the fabulous evening in the medieval city of Kilkenny, where Michael Boyd SIOR hosted drinks, fine food and Irish music for supporters, SIORiders and friends
12 July 2022SIORyder Cup Match for SIOR Foundation
With two championship golf courses set in stunning surrounds at the world renowned Powerscourt Estate, Powerscourt Golf Club is an immensely popular venue.
A coach transported us to/from Powerscourt Golf Club and the Conrad Hilton Hotel. The registration fee was all-inclusive of the green fee, event polo shirt, lunch, refreshments, dinner and prize giving (in a typical, local Irish pub. The event was a matchplay in true Ryder Cup style and was played as a Fourball Better Ball.
The inaugural SIORyder cup was won by the European team.
13 July 2022Dublin Port Harbour Tour
An educational, optional, industrial tour of Dublin’s port and harbour (water side) was organised. A double-decker bus left the Conrad hotel in the morning after breakfast and took us to/from the port. Delegates were returned in time for lunch and the afternoon tours.
13 July 2022Site Visit of Microsoft’s campus in Dublin
With thanks to David Petherbridge of RKD Architects (Dublin) we were privileged to be able to visit Microsoft’s new campus.
2,000 people. 71 different nationalities. One Campus situated in Leopardstown, Dublin. At Microsoft, their mission is to empower every person and organisation to do and achieve more, not just in Ireland, but right across the world. From software development, testing and localisation to operations, finance, HR and sales & marketing for Europe, Middle East and Africa, the ambition is to help everyone, through the power of technology, to achieve theirs.
13 July 2022Teeling Whiskey Distillery & Guinness Storehouse Tour
Ireland’s number-one tourist attraction, The Guinness Storehouse, is located in the heart of old Dublin. The Storehouse was our introduction to the world’s famous creamy stout [not Mr. Robert Thornburgh’s favour tipple!], a tour which took us up through the building’s giant, pint-shaped heart of glass. We discovered what goes into making ‘the black stuff’- the ingredients, the processes, the passion. The tour ended with a pint of Guinness overlooking Dublin City in the stunning Gravity Bar- we even tried to ‘pull our own pint’!
Next, we headed to the first new distillery established in Dublin in over 125 years – Teeling Whiskey Distillery [now, here we confirm that this is Robert Thornburgh’s favourite tipple!]. This was a truly unique experience as it is an actual working distillery, giving you the chance to capture the real spirit of Dublin. We passed through vast and impressive distillery rooms to see how exactly the whiskey is made, where it is matured and the importance of wood in the process. No doubt, the highlight of the guided tour was the comparison whiskey tasting at the end where you can decide which whiskey (sample three) is your favourite.
13 July 2022Meet & Greet, sponsored by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland
The meet and greet took place from 17:30 to 19:30. Pictures can be seen in the gallery below.
13 July 2022IBG Dinner Party
It wouldn’t have been a SIOR conference without an IBG* Dinner! We went to Hugo’s restaurant in the heart of Dublin for a three-course meal including wine and beer to meet and network with fellow SIOR members from around the globe. *Independent Brokers Group
14 July 2022Conference Day 1
Opening General Session, Navigating an Uncertain World, sponsored by the SIOR Foundation – 09:15-10:45
Mr David McWilliams Economist, broadcaster and author
Networking Break with Global Connection – 10:45-11:15
Interactive Panel – Opportunities in a World of Risk, moderated by Paul McNeive. – 11:15-12:15
Mr David McWilliams Economist, broadcaster and author Paul McNeive Motivational Speaker and Business Development Kevin Nowlan CEO, Hibernia REIT plc Jackie Wild Chief Executive Officer, TSL Ltd and SmartParc Ltd
Networking Lunch with Global Connections – 12:15-13:15
Keynote – Virtual Real Estate and entering the Metaverse, sponsored by Addleshaw Goddard – 13:15-14:20
Mr James Scott Director, MIT CRE Real Estate Technology Initiative
Interactive Panel – The Future of the Workplace – 14:30-15:30
Mr James Scott Director, MIT CRE Real Estate Technology Initiative Dr. Claire Penny Global Digital Evangelist, Invicara Mr Sander Scheurwater Head of Public Affairs Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa (AEMEA), RICS Mrs Katie Whipp Head of Deepki, UK, Deepki
Hot Topics Roundtable Meet-Ups – Drinks Reception & Prize Raffle – 15:30-17:00
Gala Evening sponsored by TSL, to be held at Christchurch Cathedral – 19:30-23:00
We rounded off the day with a spectacular gala reception and dinner at Christchurch Cathedral, lit with candles and a light show, a choir and music from the amazing Irish singer Tommy Fleming.
Late Night After-Gala Party, sponsored by Carter Jonas – 23:00-01:30
15 July 2022Conference Day 2
Friday morning Keynote – Small Steps To Success, sponsored by REDI Cincinnati – 09:30-10:30
Paul McNeive
Motivational Speaker and Business Development
Networking Break with Global Connections – 10:30-10:45
A break from our educational sessions to chat and mingle with fellow delegates, seek out new business opportunities and meet our sponsors.
Closing General Session – There is no Planet B… sponsored by CoStar – 10:45-12:00
Mike Berners-Lee
Sustainability Expert, Small World Consulting
Powerscourt House & Gardens Tour – 13:00-18:00
We travelled by luxury coach to enjoy the stunning scenery of the gardens and magnificent house of Powerscourt Estate. It is set on a 1000 acre estate just outside of Dublin city and widely regarded as one of the finest gardens in Europe. These gardens were designed and laid out between 1745 and 1767 and the 18th Century Manor filled with splendid Greek and Italian-inspired statuary, decorative ironwork, a petrified-moss grotto, lovely herbaceous borders, a fountain with statues of winged horses, and the occasional herd of deer to marvel at. We strolled around the gardens and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings of the sprawling gardens and peaceful scenery at our own leisurely pace. Powerscourt house today offers the warmest of welcomes to all visitors and some of the best views in Ireland, overlooking the breath-taking Sugarloaf Mountain. It was a wonderful place to relax and enjoy browsing the splendid range of stores or indulge in a coffee and dessert in the famous Avoca Terrace Café.
U2 Walking Tour & Musical Pub Crawl – 14:00-17:00
Our expert guides took the group on a U2 Walking Tour of Dublin. Fans of Ireland’s (perhaps the world’s) greatest rock band got huge enjoyment in exploring the band’s home town from their perspective. Iconic sites such as Windmill Lane, the location of the building where the band’s early recordings were made, the band’s Hanover Studio and the site of their famous Dandelion Market early gigs allowed us to explore the Dublin the band grew up in and the influences of their music.
The Traditional Irish Musical Pub Crawl was led by a professional musician who performed tunes and songs while telling the story of Irish music and its influences on contemporary world music. We were met by a musician in Dublin City following the U2 tour and they brought us to a local pub in Dublin City. The hosts chatted, charmed and entertained us on route to the pub. Then on arrival there was an area reserved in each pub for us to sit and listen to the musicians play, sing songs and tell stories of Ireland and Irish Music while enjoying some pints (one drink per pub was included in the price).
Speakers
David McWilliams
David McWilliams is an economist, author, journalist, documentary-maker and broadcaster. He is Adjunct Professor of Global Economics at the School of Business Trinity College Dublin. David is ranked 10th most influential economist in the world. He has devoted his entire professional life to the objective of making economics as widely available and easily understandable on as many platforms and to as many people as possible –and is having a laugh doing it. As a result, he co-founded the world’s only economics and stand-up comedy festival Kilkenomics – described by the FT as “simply, the best economics conference in the world”. He also founded Ireland’s leading literary and ideas shindig, the Dalkey Book Festival. The WEF at Davos debased their currency profoundly by making him a Young Global Leader a few years back.
David McWilliams
Economist, broadcaster and author
MA
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James Scott
James Scott is a Research Scientist, lecturer and Director of the Real Estate Technology Initiative at MIT’s Center for Real Estate, with a primary focus on real estate automation and technology. MIT’s Center for Real Estate has a thirty-five year history of pioneering research and thought-leadership that trains generations of professionals to capitalize on today’s dynamic markets, transformative technologies and sustainability goals using its insights from around the globe. Among other positions, James is also ‘Innovator-In-Residence’ for IREM (Institute of Real Estate Management) where he identifies new technologies that help IREM members operate their buildings more efficiently, improve their properties’ competitive positioning, and better serve clients. James has written numerous industry papers and gives regular talks and presentations globally on automation, ‘Proptech’ and the future of innovation in the industry. James combines a background in commercial real estate with a unique understanding of real estate technology to identify the products and processes that will provide the future spaces in which people will want to live and work.
James Scott
Director
MIT CRE Real Estate Technology Initiative
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Paul McNeive
Paul McNeive is a chartered surveyor and was managing director of Hamilton Osborne King in Ireland when the firm was sold to Savills for €50m euro. Paul started his career as a trainee in the basement of the firm and not even the loss of his legs in a fire prevented him from rising to the top position to lead 250 staff. Paul is now fast gaining a reputation worldwide as a top motivational speaker, and he has spoken to single audiences of over 5,000 people, and on three continents. His autobiographical book on business and motivation, “Small Steps,” is a bestseller. In “Small Steps” Paul passes on the lessons in positivity, motivation and goalsetting which he learned in rehabilitation hospital and which he has used to prove that “Everything is Possible”- for example becoming the first double amputee in the world to gain a helicopter pilots license. Paul’s first novel “The Manhattan Project” was published in the UK and Ireland in May 2018 and immediately made the Irish bestseller lists. The book will be published next in Germany, where it has been renamed “Resistent.” Paul writes a weekly Opinion Column in The Irish Independent on property and business and he is interviewed regularly on t.v. and radio. He serves on the board of Ireland’s National Rehabilitation Hospital. He is an Ambassador for The Douglas Bader Foundation. Paul is a passionate speaker on customer service and his unique classification of people as types of birds makes sure that everyone remembers his message-“Make ‘em feel special.” He is also an experienced speaker on increasing sales, leadership, developing professional relationships and “change management.” Paul has also worked professionally as a singer and in comedy, with appearances on “The Late Late Show” and “The Mario Rosenstock Show.” He has written No. 1 songs and sung on TV and radio including “The John Murray Show” and “The Business.” This experience in entertainment makes him a great after-dinner speaker, combining top level business acumen with the ability to entertain. Paul is experienced in facilitating and presenting seminars. He loves working with senior management in facilitating strategy meetings, where his wide experience allows him to challenge the status quo and stimulate new thinking. Paul McNeive is an inspirational and entertaining speaker who makes an unforgettable impact on his audiences.
Paul McNeive
Motivational Speaker and Business Development
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Mike Berners-Lee
Mike Berners-Lee is an expert speaker on sustainability and on how we can address this overarching 21st century challenge. He is the founder of Small World Consulting, an associate company of Lancaster University, which is a world leader in the field of supply chain carbon metrics and management. Small World works with organisations of all sizes and sectors, from the world’s largest tech giants to SMEs. Mike is a professor at Lancaster University, where his research includes sustainable food systems and carbon metrics. He has made numerous speaking, radio and television broadcast appearances to promote public awareness of sustainability and climate change issues, and most notably appeared in Climate Change: The Facts alongside Sir David Attenborough. He is the author of three acclaimed books. His 2019 book, There Is No Planet B: A Handbook for the Make or Break Years is a practical and holistic tour of the 21st century’s biggest challenges, laced throughout with practical guidance for individuals, businesses and politicians. An updated version of this book was published by Cambridge University Press in early 2021. About his first book, How Bad Are Bananas? The Carbon Footprint of Everything Bill Bryson wrote “I can’t think of the last time I read a book that was more fascinating, and useful and enjoyable all at the same time”. A fully updated version of this book was published in Summer 2020. His book,The Burning Question , co-written with Duncan Clark, explores the big picture on climate change and the underlying global dynamics, asking what mix of politics, economics, psychology and technology are really required to deal with the problem. Al Gore described it as “Fascinating, important and highly recommended”. Mike has a degree in Physics from Oxford University, a PGCE in Outdoor Education and Physics from Bangor, and an MSc in Organisational Development and Consulting from Sheffield Hallam University.
Mike Berners-Lee
Sustainability Expert
Small World Consulting
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Paul Danks
Paul has over 35 years experience in working with global corporations developing strategies to reduce cost, enhance value and ensure that maximum efficiencies and wellbeing are derived from the occupation of real estate Specialties: Corporate Real Estate Services, Portfolio & Asset Strategy, Location Strategy, Client Management, Strategy Development, Brokerage / Tenant Representation, Appraisal & Valuation, Lease Renewals, Rent Reviews Logistics & Supply Chain Consultancy, Occupation Cost Minimisation Strategies, Real Estate & Workplace Strategy,
Paul Danks
Director, International Property Consultant, SIOR European Chapter President
DRG Group Ltd
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Matthew Leguen de Lacroix
Matthew is Director of SIOR Europe where he manages and administrates the European Chapter, including the conception and production of the conference in Dublin. Up until the end of March 2015, Matthew was Managing Partner and Chairman of DTZ’s Geneva office. He has over 30 years of real estate experience. He is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and member of SIOR, the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors. Matthew was elected for a two-year term (2014-2016) as the President of the European Regional Chapter of SIOR and remains on the ERC Board. He was the International Vice-Chairman of the SIOR Admissions Committee for two two-year terms. He was elected a trustee of the SIOR Foundation in 2015 and has been re-elected for a new term as of October 2020. He is a past-member of the RICS Continental Europe Standards Board (2003-2008) and is the past vice-chairman of RICS Switzerland (2003-2012). He has lectured in ethics and RICS on numerous Swiss master degree / real estate courses, including USPI (2013-present). He enjoys skiing and hiking, usually with his black Lab.
Matthew Leguen de Lacroix
SIOR European Director and Chapter Past President
SIOR Europe
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Paul McDowell
Highly experienced in consultancy advice relating to commercial investment in real estate with over 35 years experience with areas of expertise in Ireland, UK and Europe. Built a portfolio for clients across France & Germany with a combined value in excess of €1bn. Have combined this with asset management skills to advise real estate funds. Specialist on advising syndicates / funds on commercial property matters, including problem solving, particularly in France & Germany. Specialties: Investment acquisitions and disposal strategy advice, asset management and general property consultant focusing on strategy.
Paul McDowell
Principal, SIOR European Chapter Immediate Past-President, Conference Chair
Paul McDowell Limited
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Shirley Coulter
As CEO of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) since 2020, Shirley works with the Board and members to strengthen the unique position of the SCSI as the only professional body providing guidance and representation across the full life cycle of the property, land and construction sector. Shirley oversees the SCSI’s work to advance research, policy, member guidance, education, regulation and professional accreditation that recognises the sector’s changing needs in addressing key issues including housing supply, sustainability, diversity, and market trends. Shirley has a career focused on highlighting the value of professionals and supporting them in their delivery of expert services to society. She joined the SCSI from The Bar of Ireland (Law Library), where she was Director of Membership and Public Affairs. Her extensive professional representative body experience draws from her previous work at the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish Dental Association. In addition, Shirley represents the SCSI members on a number of external groups including the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform’s Construction Sector Group and the Construction Industry Council and played a key role in ensuring the safe re-opening of the property sector following the Covid lockdowns through her work with the PSRA and Department of Housing on the Joint Sector Protocol for Property Services Providers.
Shirley Coulter
CEO
SCSI
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Claire Penny
Claire is the Global Digital Evangelist at Invicara where she gets to combine her passion, experience and learning from the past 22 years, enabling her to effectively assist companies on their Digital Twin journey. She previously worked at IBM for over 19 years where she was the Global Industry Leader at IBM for the Watson IoT for Cognitive Buildings group. She has a record of successfully converting innovation projects into commercialised, revenue generating products, and for driving results across matrixed global teams. She is renowned for her passion, getting things done, love of evangelizing, and is a prominent international speaker on the topics of Digital Twins, IoT, PropTech, and Smart Buildings. Claire’s external commitments include Non-Executive Director on the board of CITA (Construction IT Alliance) Ireland and Non-Executive Director of Producer Register Ltd (PRL). She is a technical advisor for the Estates Gazette and, also very active within the BSI, assisting with the revision of many British Standards relating to the Facilities Management.
Claire Penny
Global Digital Evangelist
Invicara
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Katie Whipp
Katie is Head of Deepki’s UK business. Deepki is an end to end ESG provider whose mission is to accelerate the environmental transition of the built environment sector. Established in Paris, Deepki is leading the way across 38+ countries when it comes to data collection, but also the onward journey of identifying transitional interventions, measuring impact, engaging stakeholders and reporting real-time and forecast progression against carbon pathways. At Deepki, Katie is responsible for the entire UK business; her current focus is on establishing and scaling the growth of the company’s UK footprint, having launched operations in London earlier last year. She is also an active member of Deepki’s Leadership Team, holding a variety of global responsibilities, which stem from her proven track record in strategic operational excellence and the delivery of exceptional customer solutions. Katie’s career has spanned the international real estate space for over 12 years, most recently at CBRE and Cluttons, where she was head of their pioneering CRM programmes. She is an advocate for women and other underrepresented groups in real estate and tech, as well as the positioning of the built environment as a force for good in the world.
Katie Whipp
Head of Deepki, UK
Deepki
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Kevin Nowlan
Kevin Nowlan is one of the founders of Hibernia REIT plc and joined the Board as Chief Executive Officer in November 2015 following the internalisation of WK Nowlan REIT Management, the Investment Manager. Prior to this Kevin held the same position in the Investment Manager from its inception in 2013 and previously held senior roles in NAMA and Treasury Holdings and was MD of WK Nowlan Real Estate Advisers. He is a Chartered Surveyor with more than 25 years’ experience in the Irish property market, including commercial agency, property management, investment, development and development financing, commercial loan portfolio management and debt restructuring. He has a BSc in Estate Management from the University of Ulster, an MBA from Ulster Business School and a Diploma in Project Management from Trinity College, Dublin. Kevin is also currently Chair of ULI Ireland.
Kevin Nowlan
CEO
Hibernia REIT plc
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Jackie Wild
Jackie is a forward-thinking leader in industrial and commercial construction. Her early career was spent in the food industry, in a variety of commercial and operational roles, before sitting on the main board of a £1.5bn food business. Through this experience she spotted a gap in the market for a technical construction company, focused on food. In 2002, she founded TSL, which quickly became a leader in this important sector. As the company grew, it diversified into other sectors, including, pharmaceuticals, logistics, data centres, and advanced manufacturing. In each case, Jackie brought in industry insiders to add extra value to their international blue-chip clients. More recently Jackie set up SmartParc, a dedicated food business park, which reimagines food production for the C21st. It features sustainable energy, shared services, food innovation, and much more. The first park opened in Derby in early 2022, with HelloFresh as anchor tenant. More SmartParcs will follow across the UK and beyond in the years ahead. Jackie is a regular speaker on innovation and best practice in technical construction at industry events.
Jackie Wild
Chief Executive Officer – TSL Ltd and SmartParc Ltd
TSL
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Sander Scheurwater
Sander Scheurwater is a Dutch national and studied Economics at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam where he achieved his Masters in 2000. He majored in sociological economics. In 2000, Sander started his career at the EU Affairs Office of General Motors where he was responsible for technical and environmental issues. In 2006, he joined the EU Affairs team of RICS, which he started leading in 2009. Since then, he has had various roles within RICS including corporate affairs and communication. Part of the senior management team, he currently heads the Public Affairs activities for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas and as such is responsible for engagement with governments, associations and the financial sector. He also leads European working groups on sustainability and the ‘future of the profession’ (including technological developments, diversity & inclusion and changing skillsets) Through his time at RICS he has e.g. chaired the European Housing Forum and published a number of insight papers on topics such as urban regeneration, the future of valuations and the future of the profession.
Sander Scheurwater
Head of Public Affairs Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa (AEMEA)
RICS
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Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor
GALA RECEPTION EXCLUSIVE SPONSOR
Keynote speaker sponsors
MEET & GREET RECEPTION SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
Silver SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
LANYARDS & LATE NIGHT PARTY
CONFERENCE WIFI
Keycards
NETWORKING LUNCHES WITH GLOBAL CONNECTION
NETWORKING BREAKS WITH GLOBAL CONNECTION
SPONSORS OF SIORide, DUBLIN to KILKENNY
SPONSORS OF SIOR RYDER CUP MATCH
Media Partners
