Q and A with Marni Lawson

I admired the business from afar. I found Burgess Rawson to be innovative and open to exploring new and better ways of working within the industry. 

Their portfolio auctions have proven so successful that they are leaders in this field with a well-deserved following and a lengthy list of long-term clients. 

Asset management is about building and retaining relationships, and this was another aspect that excited me about joining the team.

2. What are your interests in the industry?

I’m most interested in the journey shared with clients and building long term relationships with both landlords and tenants.  It’s rewarding to have satisfied landlords but equally, it’s fascinating to be part of a tenant’s journey and be involved with the success of their business, which is a win for all concerned.

3. How has asset management changed/evolved?

The industry has evolved so much in recent years that it’s crucial to have the right people to be part of a team to ensure procedures are carried out professionally and are legally compliant.

Each state has extensive lease and building compliances to consider and other relevant legislation that must be understood and complied with. 

Growing compliance and notice obligations, particularly from the owner’s side, has been one of the biggest changes I have seen throughout my career. 

4. What are the current challenges?

Insurance, for instance, is also becoming more complicated due to the impact of floods and other disasters as well. I can’t stress more how important it is for anybody who owns or leases a property to enlist an experienced professional who is up to date with all the changes relevant to the industry.

5. How is sustainability being addressed? What are the trends?

Developers across all sectors are taking sustainability and energy efficiency into account when building new projects. Owners are successfully taking the plunge and rejuvenating functionally obsolete buildings to attract and retain tenants. With rising energy and insurance costs, it’s worked well in providing a future for many assets.