Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa September 2014 | Page 14

MASTER INVESTOR

The Broll journey
Around 2003, the Municipal Pension Fund
environment was undergoing realignment and
uncertainty, and Malcolm decided it was time to
explore other opportunities. Broll Property Group was
one of the pension funds’ service providers and when
they heard Malcolm was joining another reputable
company, Jonathan Broll offered him an opportunity.
“I joined Broll in March 2003 as a Portfolio Executive
with no portfolio! It was very strange for me arriving
at work on Day 1 not knowing what I was going to
do in this business. But within three months both the
Joint Municipal Pension Fund and Municipal Gratuity
Fund outsourced their property management business
to Broll. I remain eternally grateful to them - this was a
huge compliment to both myself and to Broll.”
Malcolm fondly remembers a few highlights from
his career at Broll. “My time as Managing Director
during the initial stages of establishing Broll Namibia
as well as the time I was Portfolio Executive of the
Apex Hi portfolio, the largest property management
client within Broll, were certainly highlights. These
were followed by my appointment as MD of Property
Management for Broll and, in 2010, as Group CEO
of all of eight of our non-South African operations
in sub-Saharan Africa. Other highlights were my
appointment as a board member of SAPOA and the
SACSC.”
Malcolm says one of Broll’s most significant
property deals of late has been advising Discovery on
their relocation to a new head office in Sandton – the
largest commercial leasing transaction to date in South
Africa. “This transaction was truly a significant and
proud moment for all at Broll. The lesson that I learnt
from this deal was that a relationship of trust is built
over many years and many actions, small and large. Our
client’s best interest is our best interest.”
At the helm
As Group CEO, Malcolm heads all group business
initiatives and manages the establishment of Broll
as a multi-disciplined property services provider
operating across sub-Saharan Africa, with assets under
management exceeding R100 billion and managing
15 million sqm across all service lines. With regard to
property management, Broll’s portfolio exceeds R60
billion and 6.4 million sqm, while the Corporate Real
Estate Services provides solutions to 136 clients and
the facilities management division manages assets
occupying 7 million sqm, valued at more than R22
billion. “Last year we established an Asset Management
service division. We are currently busy with valuations,
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September 2014 SA Real Estate Investor

retail leasing and projects across sub-Saharan Africa,
including 1.4 million sqm of new retail developments.
We have also established a research platform across
SSA.”
Into Africa
Malcolm says that one of many highlights for him
over the last few months has been the opening of
Broll Kenya, as this completed the group’s platform
to operate on the ground across sub-Saharan Africa.
“Since starting our African strategy 11 years ago, we
held this as a goal and to see it materialise is a testament
to the shareholders’ and management’s commitment
to our ultimate vision of becoming the best in class
property services provider operating throughout subSaharan Africa – a truly humbling but very proud
moment for me!”
Broll now operates in 15 African countries, with
offices in eight of these countries. Each country is
different, and the operating conditions are harsher in
some than in others, but each offers unique qualities
and opportunities which have attracted Broll to those
countries. “At the heart of all we do is a love for the
African people and our passion to see Africa develop
and take its rightful place on the international stage.
In our 11 year journey into Africa, the strides that have
been taken have been absolutely memorable and I am
excited to see where the future will lead us to in the
next 10 years,” says Malcolm.
He adds that he would like to see Broll recognised
on the international stage as the leading property
services provider of choice by investors and occupiers
of space, as a company delivering a service equal or
better than that they can get anywhere in the world - a
global standard with a very local application.
“One of the most exciting aspects we are encountering
at the moment is being awarded multi -national
mandates across sub-Saharan Africa. We have recently
secured two appointments: one that stretches across 22
countries and the other covering 500 locations on the
continent. I see these type of mandates as exciting as
they allow our skills transfer and upliftment in terms
of technology, people and platforms to strengthen, to
provide a world-class service while promoting Africa
as an occupier and investor destination.”
Malcolm says he is inspired by the ambition and
the potential Africa holds, as well as the mindset and
‘wiring’ that is different from country to country, yet
can be unifying. “Embracing the differences while
respecting the experiences from both sides provide a
potent combination. My one and only icon, Nelson
Mandela, said: ‘Never see anything as being impossible’
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