Graduate profiles

Girish Grover, 27

Property Finance & Investment Graduate

Current department:

Occupier Strategy Private Sector

Joined C&W:

September 2008

Degree:

Msc in Real Estate Investment (CASS Business School) MBA in International Business (University of East London) B.Com Business and Commerce (University of Dehli)

What was the recruitment process like to get onto the C&W Graduate Programme?

The recruitment process was quite rigorous comprising of an initial application form followed by a numerical test and first stage interview. I was interviewed by one of the Associates from Capital Markets Group. This was followed by a final stage assessment day with a Partner and an Associate and that's how I got my seat. It was great to meet people from the business throughout the process, understand company’s culture and what to expect from the firm.

Where did your interest in the investment side of property stem from?

I've always liked property as an asset class over other mainstream asset classes. I think property offers much more, as it's a tangible asset, lot more interactive, challenging and outgoing business. More importantly, real estate is increasingly becoming vital in multi-asset portfolios of big institutional investors. Investment side of property offers a blend of property and broader financial market exposures, that makes property investment lot more interesting. You learn core property skills such as inspections, valuations and lease structures and you get exposed to core financial skills such as portfolio management, financial modelling, investments in products like CMBS, private equity, and securities etc.

You rotated from Corporate Finance, how was your first rotation?

I thoroughly enjoyed my rotation in Corporate Finance. They are a great team and it was a steep learning curve. I was given responsibility from day one, and attended client meetings with senior members of the team.

How different is Corporate Finance to Occupier strategy?

Occupier Strategy is very different to Corporate Finance, it's just like sitting on the other side of the table. In Corporate Finance we represent investors who want to directly or indirectly, buy Real Estate investments, units in funds etc and we help them raise capital and advise them on their investments. In Occupier Strategy, we represent corporate occupiers who are the end users. We help them create their real estate strategies. It is like taking different perspectives in the investment space.

Can you give me an example of an exciting project that you have been involved in?

My first project in Corporate Finance department that lasted for 3-4 months. We conducted property due diligence on a European unlisted real estate fund, for a major private equity house. We inspected assets in their portfolio for valuation, did financial models, performance attribution analysis so as to determine the fund’s true value. It was a great exposure and gave me the opportunity to see theory being applied in practice. So that was a very exciting.

You're studying towards your CFA , APC and you do your day job! How do you manage to fit it all in?

I generally study for the CFA early in the morning, and on the weekends. The APC is more day to day work, keeping a log book and a diary, liaising with supervisors and counsellors. These professional qualifications actually help me do my daily job more efficiently and help me understand bigger picture. Its not easy but what motivates me is the prospect of becoming a long term asset to Cushman & Wakefield and the industry.

What do you think graduates need to succeed at C&W?

All graduates should have some basic traits such as being ambitious, believe in teamwork, have good communication skills, confidence in themselves and most importantly a passion for property.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

I want to build my career in real estate investment management. Five years down the line, I want to be advising investors on different real estate assets for their portfolio and help them achieve their investment objectives. I see myself as a very important team member of Cushman & Wakefield, bringing in business and as being someone who has made a name for himself in the industry. I would like to be at a point where I am starting to give back to the industry.