Agenda

An analysis of how today's major macroeconomic trends are impacting the commercial property market, both globally, and more specifically at the UK and European level.  How is current UK fiscal and monetary policy affecting investor appetite for commercial property? Reflecting on last year's predictions - how accurate were we?

- What type, size and structure of commercial property investments offer the greatest potential return in the current climate?
- Which European countries will offer the greatest risks and the most exciting investment opportunities in 2012 and beyond?
- Have Paris and Frankfurt overtaken London as UK growth slows?
- How do European markets compare to other global markets at the current time?

Introduction from Peter Damesick, Chief Economist, EMEA, CB Richard Ellis

- As a huge number of loans reach maturity, how are the leading banks dealing with distressed assets and loans?
- If demand for commercial property strengthens, will we see banks increasingly selling off distressed assets to recoup their loans, or are banks holding on to them in the hope of further market recovery?
- Are banks favouring work-outs, or enforced sales?
- Will 2012 see an increase in securitised mortgage debt?  What's the appetite for this?  What rates and terms will be seen for new CMBS?
- What other new investment vehicles are emerging in the commercial property sector?

- How has the approach of institutional investors towards commercial real estate changed since the crash?
- What will leading pension funds and insurance companies demand from property funds moving forward?
- Which funds and managers are delivering the best results?
- Which new investment vehicles are most attractive to institutional investors?
- Is the UK moving towards the US model, where large insurance companies provide debt to fill the gap left by banks?

- How is today's business climate impacting both demand for new office space, and rental yields on existing developments?
- Analysing the pipeline for new office developments in London: Is it sustainable?  Or is there a risk of over-supply by 2013?
- Is the current polarisation between prime and secondary justified or sustainable?
- Outside the City of London, what factors are driving investment (or the lack of it) in commercial office buildings?
- Will we see more competition for secondary properties in light of the lack of supply of prime properties?

- Forecasting future trends in consumer spending and how these will shape the retail property market
- The impact of internet shopping on the high street - how are major retailers responding?
- Analysing the growth strategies of major retailers - will the trend towards retail parks, designer outlets and out-of-town warehouses continue?
- To what extent have public sector cuts exacerbated the gap in demand between prime and secondary retail centres, and between London and regional markets?
- In the current climate, to what extent can active management increase the value of retail assets, and what strategies are leading managers employing?

- Current progress in the legacy masterplan for regeneration
- How much further investment is needed and where will it come from?
- Lessons learned from previous Olympic Games

- How has the reality of the market in 2011 differed from expectations?
- To what extent does property continue to be an attractive investment in the post-recession economy?
- Can investors still make returns in the UK and Europe, or are emerging markets the only game in town?
- Will the regions offer a more attractive investment prospect going forward?
- How will successful property businesses be structured and managed post financial crisis?  What has changed?