Spaceful talks with CoreNet Global Australia Young Leader 2024 Award recipient, Ed Jennings about the award, his non-linear career pathway and the impact of technology on commercial real estate.
As part of the organisation’s wider strategy, Spaceful recognises and celebrates young leaders in the Corporate Real Estate community. From excellence in innovation to diversity of thought, these young professionals are leading the charge.
Spaceful recently attended the 2024 CoreNet REawards at the Victoria State Library, to sponsor and present the CoreNet Global Australia Chapter Young Leader Award. This award recognises a Young Leader member (<35) who shows dedication and enthusiasm for their work, exemplifies excellence, and is considered ‘one to watch’ in the field of corporate real estate.
2024 CoreNet Young Leader Award Winner
Ed Jennings began his career as a chartered surveyor in London, focusing on real estate training, evaluation, and sale and leasing management. In 2017, he made the move to Sydney where he worked on major office transactions and developed a curiosity for Prop Tech and cryptocurrency. Now in his current role at WiredScore, he communicates the importance of building connectivity, especially within the modern business landscape. “I sit between these two sectors, Prop Tech and traditional real estate, trying to bridge the gap.”
How has your involvement with CoreNet Australia influenced your professional growth and understanding of the technology needs in the real estate sector?
“The REd Talks, gives you the opportunity to stand up in front of lots of people and talk about a topic that you care about.” In his REd Talk presentation, Ed discussed the importance of finding a purpose.
Further to his personal growth, Ed highlights the network he built through CoreNet. “It’s been really valuable to understand the end-users’ perceptions and their need for technology.” By learning about the challenges occupiers face when integrating technology, Ed noted that “if the base building isn’t set up in the right way, then it’s very hard to deliver.” This has inspired him to educate “the occupier market to understand what they should be asking for, and to ensure that process is as seamless as possible.”
What does winning the Cornet Global Young Leader award mean to you?
“I don’t think I’ve ever won an award before, so it’s really nice to win an award. I think it’s cool to see that a different career pathway can still be valued in the community” says Ed.
Ed’s unique journey through the real estate landscape has inspired him to advocate for diverse career pathways. “When I started, the options seemed limited to valuers, leasing agents, or fit-out specialists.” Now, he appreciates the broader scope of opportunities, as winning the award as a “digital connectivity and smart building specialist” serves as a testament to the evolving roles within the industry. “There’s so much more to what we do now.”
Was there a defining moment in a project or in your career that contributed to winning the award?
Ed noted that it’s not just one defining moment but rather an amalgamation of experiences. “It’s been a really interesting journey in Australia to now hit a tipping point where we’ve certified over 100 buildings.” Initially, the Australian market viewed connected buildings as sufficient without needing a formal rating. However, there’s been a notable shift where occupiers are now actively seeking certifications. “That tipping point has been cool to be part of,” Ed notes.
As someone who is considered one to watch in Prop Tech, where do you see yourself in the next five to 10 years?
“If I’m honest, I don’t know and I kind of like it that way. If you had asked me 10 years ago, I would have been sitting in an office in London thinking I was going to be an office investment agent for the rest of my life, so I certainly didn’t expect to be here now. I thrive on a bit of uncertainty. I love what I’m doing at the moment. I’m a relatively new dad, and an even newer dog owner, and life is busy; getting through day by day is quite exciting.
I think professionally, I love this space, there’s loads to happen in the next 10 years. We’re entering an era of adoption when it comes to Prop Tech, which is super exciting and means we’ll stay busy. I know we’ve got lots more expansion to be done at WiredScore over the next few years, so hopefully, I’ll get to see some more markets. That will certainly take me through to the next five years, and beyond that, let’s see where we go!”
How do you envision the future of corporate real estate in Australia, especially considering the changes over the past years?
Acknowledging that he’s not a corporate real estate expert, Ed observes the industry is “still a challenging environment.” According to him, the upcoming regulatory changes to sustainable reporting will have significant impacts on the Australian industry. “These regulations will mean we have to work in partnership between occupiers and owners to ensure that the data piece is really tight.” Ed urges the industry to be proactive, as those unprepared for these shifts may find themselves at a disadvantage.
Furthermore, with the growing importance of digital infrastructure, especially in a world of hyperconnectivity and AI becoming more prevalent, Ed mentions that “anyone talking about leveraging AI in their office space needs the right digital infrastructure to support that.” For Ed, this rise in demand is both exciting and indicative of the future of real estate, as these trends “aren’t going away and are arguably becoming more important.”
Ed ultimately advocates for “continued awareness from the industry,” suggesting that education will play a crucial role in facilitating progress and adaptation.
