DISCUSSIONS WITH | 4 MINUTE READ
THE LUXURY PROPERTY FORUM: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING PART OF A COMMUNITY AND WHY WE SHOULD BE SUPPORTING EACH OTHER DURING COVID-19
In association with Accouter Group of Companies, Accouter are proud to be a founding member of The Luxury Property Forum. Accouter’s Director, Mia Kitsinis, recently joined the panel of their latest webinar, covering the importance of communication with clients especially during COVID-19.
In this ‘Discussions with’ edition of The Publication, Accouter caught up with Founder of The Luxury Property Forum, Priya Rawal. Priya delves into how and why she started the forum, what to expect from the new platform, and how you can join.
HI PRIYA, CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT
YOURSELF AND YOUR CAREER BACKGROUND?
By trade I am a senior construction lawyer and for almost a decade, I have had the privilege to draft contracts for some of the UK’s most prestigious and high value luxury development projects. Such projects include some which Accouter Group of Companies’ studios have been featured in, the development of One Hyde Park and the financing of the Neo Bankside luxury apartments. Other projects I have drafted contracts for are the redevelopment of Westminster Fire Station and the conversion of a chapel and school into high end apartments in both Kensington and Chelsea. Through my work at CMS Cameron McKenna Olswang LLP, I have also worked closely with high-net-worth individuals on the refurbishment of their London residences, high-end student accommodation schemes and restaurant and hotel refurbishments.
WHAT DROVE YOU TO START THE
LUXURY PROPERTY FORUM?
As a lawyer specialising in luxury residential developments and hotels, over the years I connected various people and long-lasting relationships have been forged. My experience in construction projects, means I understand the need for each separate discipline to work cohesively with each other. This requires a need for mutual respect and understanding of individual roles and strengths. The Luxury Property Forum is unique in nature and has become an invaluable resource to the industry and be a mechanism to make it more efficient, diverse, collaborative and sustainable.
Image source: The Luxury Property Forum website.
Image source: The Luxury Property Forum website.
CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE LUXURY PROPERTY NETWORK AND HOW INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS CAN BENEFIT FROM USING THE PLATFORM?
The Luxury Property Forum is the official forum for the luxury property sector, bringing together highly experienced and devoted members handpicked from every sector of the luxury property industry. Members stand to benefit from bespoke introductions and develop strong business collaborations. We help cultivating growth opportunities as well as sharing knowledge, experience and contacts.
MEMBERS BENEFIT FROM:
Events & Targeted Networking:
Members receive invitations to a growing programme of seminars, webinars and other initiatives.
Collaborations & Promotion:
Each member is profiled with contact information on The Luxury Property Forum Directory. This is “the go-to little black book” of the luxury property industry with a media launch this Autumn.
Media & News:
The Luxury Property Forum blog provides members with briefings on current topics in your inbox each quarter.
Giving Back:
Participate in The Luxury Property Forum’s corporate social responsibility programmes.
WHAT SETS THE LUXURY PROPERTY FORUM FROM OTHER NETWORKING PLATFORMS?
The essence of The Luxury Property Forum is to create a sense of community within the industry. The forum is unique in nature and is the only existing group which brings together the entire span of the luxury property industry. This includes investors and developers, contractors and consultants, supportive advisors and specialist sub-contractors and suppliers. Now more than ever, we need to be supportive of one another and understand each other’s needs and concerns. We must take practical steps to adapt our ways, not only to survive, but to emerge more resilient and innovative than ever before. The only way we do this is together. We are more than just a network but are a forum for the future.
Image source: The Luxury Property Forum website.
ON THE BACK OF THE SUCCESS FROM YOUR RECENT WEBINAR, WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE KEY POINTS BUSINESSES NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN COMMUNICATING WITH CLIENTS?
Businesses within the luxury property industry are all having to think about how they best communicate with their clients (whether it be in person or digitally) post-lockdown and how as a brand they wish to position themselves going into the new normality. When communicating with clients one of the key points is to embrace technology. Having an online presence is now more important than ever and one day, when COVID-19 is a thing of the past, social media engagement will be about loyalty, not likes and comments. This is the time to ensure that brands have a purpose and resonate with customers.
Further, luxury property brands need to consider what value they are bringing to the world, whether it’s showing their own sustainability credentials or enhancing this desire to be “better humans”. It is now not enough to simply promote a beautiful and frankly very expensive development. There needs to be an engaging story behind any promotion. Whether it is creating a space for NHS workers to relax and recuperate in, having a state-of-the-art air purification system or the installation of wardrobes which decontaminate your garments to prevent further spread of infection. In addition to communication with clients, communication within the industry and having the support of your tribe is now so important. Communities are now stronger than ever and appreciating the power of togetherness will set brands apart in a post COVID-19 future.
CAN YOU TELL US WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FROM YOUR UPCOMING WEBINAR,‘HOW COVID-19 HAS RESHAPED WHAT PRIME UK HOME BUYERS WANT?’
Our upcoming webinar analyses the recent shift in buyer desires in the prime property market, post lockdown. We have seen people prioritising homes in with larger living areas which can be separated and dedicated home offices. We have also seen buyers prioritise homes in rural locations with lush green spaces rather than city centres with fantastic transport links. Technology unsurprisingly has taken centre stage. Smart home technology, home entertainment rooms and most importantly an uninterrupted Wi-Fi connection, are just a few buyer priorities which are here to stay. We will be joined by a panel of experts from the luxury property industry, be taking questions from the audience and I will be chairing the webinar.
HOW CAN SOMEONE JOIN THE LUXURY PROPERTY FORUM?
The application form is on our website. We want to know about your journey and experience in luxury property All applicants are vetted thoroughly and may be asked to provide referees to ensure both quality and credibility. We attract members who not only enrich The Luxury Property Forum as well as benefit from it.
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