OBU/OBREMS Mentoring Scheme Launch 2025

The Mentoring Scheme is managed jointly by OBREMS (our alumni association) and the School of the Built Environment and is open to second year students on the BSc Real Estate and the BSc Property Development and Planning as well as students on the MSc Real Estate.

The Can of Ham Building at 70 St Mary Axe

It's been running for 13 years now and the OBREMS/OBU Mentoring Scheme offers students a unique opportunity to be mentored by one of our alumni. This year, the launch took place on 26 March at the offices of Montagu Evans in the Can of Ham Building at 70 St Mary Axe in the City of London. Thanks to Montagu Evans for hosting and thanks to the presenters and all the students, staff and mentors who came. It was the biggest ever launch event with 120 students and alumni and a lot of networking. It was especially good to see those who took part in the Mentoring Scheme as students return as mentors and we had some laughs looking at the OBU Real Estate and Construction My Social Book from 2015. This year we matched 73 students with mentors. Anyone who is interested in becoming a mentor should contact: rdixon@brookes.ac.uk

Thanks to Josh Myerson (mentor), Alexandra Williams and Emma Buxton (both student mentees and now mentors) for their words of advice on how to make the most of the Mentoring Scheme and James Stacey (Chair of OBREMS), Rebecca Gee (OBU) and Dan Sames (OBU) for their words of encouragement. 

And now for the photos...

Emma Buxton talking about her experiences

Memories from My Social Book...

Time for more networking in the local bar...

The OBREMS/OBU Mentoring Scheme Launch - March 2023

The Mentoring Scheme is managed jointly by OBREMS (our alumni association) and the School of the Built Environment and is open to second year students on the BSc Real Estate and the BA Property Development and Planning as well as students on the MSc Real Estate.

This is the 11th year of the OBREMS/OBU Mentoring Scheme which offers students a unique opportunity to be mentored by one of our alumni. The launch took place on 22 March at the HQ of CBRE in London. Thanks to CBRE for hosting and thanks to the presenters and all the students, staff and mentors who came. It was a fantastic evening and it was especially good to see those who took part in the Mentoring Scheme as students return as mentors. This year we matched 74 students with mentors and there was a great turnout at the launch as you can see from the photos. Anyone who is interested in becoming a mentor should contact: rdixon@brookes.ac.uk

And now, a few words of advice offered by the of mentors (Andrew Whitehead, Jo Jackson, James Vivian and John Gilder) who presented at the launch:

• As a student mentee it's up to you to reach out to your mentor. If they don't reply immediately, don't be put off - they have busy jobs, don't be afraid to be persistent - you WILL get a reply!

• As a mentor, our job is to listen and give advice, the benefit of our experience, guidance and reassurance - we've all been through what you're going through and will be going through as you enter the world of work. Make good use of us.

• We can offer all these things, but in the end it's also up to you to make the effort.

• We can help you with networking and through our contacts who probably know someone who can help you with a particular issue.

• It's a unique opportunity and one which doesn't need to stop at the end of a year - many mentees and mentors keep in touch for a long time which can be hugely beneficial for both (offering useful advice for the APC process and beyond). The industry is all about people and building networks - this is a great place to start!

Introduction to the Mentoring Scheme Launch by Elaine Tooke

Finishing the evening off with more networking in the pub...

Graduation 2020 and 2021 - it finally happened!

After two years of missing, GRADUATION IS BACK! It was so good to see all the students, families, friends and staff who turned up to celebrate Graduation 2020 and 2021 in person on 18 May and 24 May 2022. Some photos and videos of the extra special day for undergraduate and postgraduate students who graduated from courses in Real Estate, Planning and Construction. Enjoy!

Graduation 2020 (held on 18 May 2022)...

And now for Graduation 2021, held on 24 May 2022...

For more information on any of our courses, take a look at the School of the Built Environment website:

Oxford Brookes School of the Built Environment

Real Estate Investment Finance: Seminar Day 2022

Dr Ye Xu (leader of the REIF programme at Oxford Brookes) introducing the REIF Seminar Day 2022

Students and alumni from the Real Estate Investment Finance (REIF) programme were invited to attend the 2022 REIF Seminar Day which was held online via Zoom on 9 March. The sessions brought together staff, students, alumni and presenters to share current thinking and experiences from across the world. 

The first session - Asia Pacific Real Estate Market Outlook 2022: Harnessing Growth, Navigating Uncertainty was presented by Sharon Chan, Cynthia Chan, Sharon Hung and Henry Chin from CBRE Asia Pacific. Take a look at the slides from this presentation and listen to it here.

Sharon Chan, CBRE Asia Pacific

Cynthia Chan, CBRE Asia Pacific

Liz Hung, CBRE Asia Pacific

Henry Chin, CBRE Asia Pacific

The second session: New vs Old Asset Classes was presented by James Macdonald from Savills, China. And you can see the slides and listen to the presentation here.

James Macdonald, Head of Research at Savills China

The third session was about PropTech and was presented by Joseph Lam, Jack Christie and Chritian Luepke from PRODA. Take a look at the slides and listen to the presentation here.

Joseph Lam from PRODA

Jack Christie from PRODA

Christian Luepke from PRODA

The 4th session - Sustainable Urban Futures: City Visions and City Governance was presented by Tim Dixon from the University of Reading. Take a look at the slides and listen to the session here.

Professor Tim Dixon, University of Reading

The final session was presented by Paul McNamara and focused on Responsible Property Investment. See the slides and listen to the presentation here. 

Professor Paul McNamara 

The Seminar Day 2022 was brought to a close by Peter Dent from Oxford Brookes who thanked all the presenters and led the final questions and discussion.

Peter Dent, Oxford Brookes University

For more information about the online MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance and the CPD option, take a look at our website:

MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance
OBU Certificate Real Estate Investment Finance (CPD)