Wednesday 28 October 2020

MSc Real Estate Investment Finance: Student Profile - Lena Clarke

The Real Estate Investment Finance (REIF) programme at Oxford Brookes attracts students from across the world - bringing students together online. I caught up with Lena Clarke who has just completed the MSc Real Estate Investment Finance and was awarded the IPF Dissertation prize for her Dissertation (see below for more details). She agreed to answer my questions...
   

What is your background? 
I am a qualified Chartered Surveyor with over 20 years’ experience in private practice, specialising in the area of Valuations and Investment Sales and Acquisitions in the commercial property market in Ireland. I have also lectured valuations in TU Dublin and The Society of Chartered Surveyors in Ireland (SCSI). 

Why did you decide to do a course in Real Estate Investment Finance? 
I have a particular interest in the area of finance and investment markets and wanted to upskill and improve my knowledge and understanding in these core subjects. I recently took a career break and am interested in pursuing alternatives to private practice surveying. The course widens my options including; finance; investment fund management; and higher education and research. 

Why did you choose the MSc REIF at Oxford Brookes? 
In the world of real estate and the built environment, Oxford Brookes is a highly regarded and internationally recognised university. The course blended my particular interest in finance and investment, together with my knowledge and expertise in real estate. Given my background the course seemed like a perfect fit. The online delivery was particularly appealing as it allowed me to achieve my Master’s degree during my free time and offered real flexibility as I balanced a busy work and family life. The REIF team are extremely helpful and I highly recommend the course. 

What did you gain from the course and how has it helped you in your career? 
The course has given me a valuable insight and understanding of finance and capital markets. I particularly enjoyed the Legal and Regulatory module, which was very new to me but a very important aspect of investment and fund management. I have recently been invited to join the Sustainability Working Group with the SCSI, and write articles to assist the society to promote the important role of valuers in driving a successful sustainable built environment. 

What did you choose for your dissertation topic and why? 
The Real Estate Valuations Module covered more than just the traditional valuation approaches and introduced new developments and trends in valuations, this included a learning package on Sustainability. As a valuer with over 20 years’ experience in Dublin I was intrigued how Dublin valuers are reflecting new developments in building standards, and whether these new standards are impacting on valuations, hence my dissertation title was “How Valuers’ in the Dublin Office Market are Reporting and Reflecting Sustainability in Valuations.”

Thanks Lena - to find out more about the MSc/PGD REIF and book a place on one of our REIF Online Information Sessions follow the links below:

MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance - course details
REIF Online Information Session - click to book a place
MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance - student profiles



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