Many sizes fit all

While INREV celebrates its 15th anniversary, the training programme marked its first decade in March, with the tenth running of the Foundation Course in Copenhagen. Since 2008, the training curriculum has grown to include 18 different courses, as well as a range of webinars and more informal Link and Learn events for Young Professionals. Over its ten-year lifespan, more than 2,600 members have participated in INREV courses. 

The highlight for this anniversary year will be awarding the INREV/Henley Certificate in European Non-Listed Real Estate Investment to the first professional to complete this new programme. 

'We’re proud that the range and depth of INREV’s curriculum continues to reflect the development of the industry. INREV plays a key role in promoting the importance of continuing professional education and delivering high quality content.'
Boris van Warmerdam, Grosvenor, Chair of INREV Training Committee

The certificate is the first professional qualification in the non-listed investment industry. It has been a natural step for INREV, combining the quality of its best-in-class practical courses led by industry professionals with the academic rigour of one of real estate’s leading universities. Members undertake three mandatory courses and two elective courses on either a portfolio construction or corporate finance path. The final step is a written assessment to demonstrate the member’s mastery of their subject area. 

Victoria Holdom from Rockspring will be the first to receive the certificate, but since she signed up 30 more professionals are taking their first steps toward the qualification. 

Alongside the certificate, the training and education programme continues to evolve. While retaining many of its core courses such as the Foundation Course, and those on Portfolio Construction and Fund Valuation and Reporting, courses on new subjects emerging in the industry are being added. 

This year, we are introducing a course on investing in alternative sectors, with a particular focus on residential. It will raise members’ knowledge of sectors that are coming onto the institutional radar, asking why investors are broadening their sector focus and examining the skills required to oversee operational businesses. This new course, which comes in rapid response to member demand, will take place in London on 24 May. 

Other recent course topics include the role of sustainable investments, as well as new products such as joint ventures and club deals, which are now the second preferred entry route for capital coming into non-listed property. 

The courses’ popularity in part stems from the quality of content provided by the industry professionals who keep the programme relevant to members’ day-to-day work with case studies and real-world applications. Each training group is limited to around 25 participants, giving individual members the opportunity to share their views in an interactive setting. 

The programme is managed by Manuela D’Agata, Head of Training and Education, and overseen by the 10-strong Training and Education Committee, chaired by Boris van Warmerdam of Grosvenor. The committee develops the programmes along with subject experts and ensures best-inclass content across a wide range of topical subjects. 

The training programme rotates between a number of European cities including London, Amsterdam and Luxembourg. Since 2013, an annual course has also been held in North America, to increase understanding of European non-listed trends, such as regulation and structuring, among US members. This year’s course takes place in New York on 27 September. 

In addition, INREV offers e-learning formats to open up the education programmes to all. It holds around nine webinars each year, focused on commercial topics such as investing strategies and products, as well as INREV initiatives including net asset value (NAV) reporting, the INREV Index and the Standard Data Delivery Sheet. We are also looking at other formats for e-learning including online courses. 
INREV has a strong outreach programme with universities across Europe, providing lectures by industry practitioners in conjunction with INREV research content. This gives students an insight into the non-listed sector and also promotes the industry as a career choice, helping it to attract the best talent.

While the training programmes are popular for their educational content, they have also become a place for attendees to meet and network with peers. With this in mind, the training team runs a number of events for Young Professionals in different cities. These ‘Link and Learn’ meetings act as local business networking forums, bringing together young professionals to discuss hot topics relevant to the non-listed industry as well as giving the chance for social networking. 

Contact Manuela D’Agata training@inrev.org