Name: Kat Austreng
Job title: Associate director, business development at Feldberg Capital
What I do: At Feldberg Capital, I steer the business development and distribution initiatives as it navigates an exciting period of growth. I am responsible for supporting capital raising across Europe and cross-selling between Feldberg’s UK and German teams. My main focus is on ReForm, Feldberg’s new brown-to-green workplace fund, targeting real estate investments in amenity-rich central London zone one locations.
Why I got into the property industry: I’ve had a lifelong fascination with real estate, really. Growing up, my mother worked as a property lawyer which meant development plans were always sprawled over our kitchen table, and aside from thinking that they were great for colouring (sorry mum!) they also sparked my intrigue into the property world. My initial first-hand exposure to the industry was a holiday job at a local estate agent, where I got to grips with property terms and discovered its investment potential, interesting trends and what was driving them. It excited me and I became passionate about it, so it spurred me to consider a career in property.
How I did it: After completing my degree in history and politics I decided a career in real estate was what I wanted, so I applied to CBRE’s non-cognate programme and thankfully was accepted. It gave me the opportunity I needed to blend education with practical industry experience. Over the course of my first two years in industry I completed the real estate master’s programme and APC, which laid the groundwork for my career.
My first proper job: It was with CBRE. I joined the portfolio valuation team after finishing my undergraduate degree. I was responsible for undertaking valuations in the Thames Valley for institutional clients. It gave me invaluable insights into the intricacies of how institutional investors operate and their needs, which continue to be important as I work with institutional investor partners at Feldberg. Working on Thames Valley projects also gave me a love of sheds, which I am told lasts a lifetime.
My first big break: My first big break came through winning quite a competitive graduate award based on entrepreneurial business ideas. This supported me in getting senior mentorship and helped me to discover and unlock a deep interest in impact investing, which has guided my career ever since. I am so pleased to have recently taken this one step further by joining Feldberg Capital, a leading ESG manager, to help scale their impact strategies and drive positive change through our investments.
My inspiration(s): I think my inspiration stems from the sheer possibilities that exist if the financial markets were reconfigured to be more sustainable and have a positive impact on society. There is still a long way to go, but ESG-led principles are for the first time being properly weaved into investment processes, helping shape the economic landscape for the greater good. The fact that so many of us working in the industry today are engaged in restructuring the way real estate investing is done to facilitate sustainable change is something I find really empowering.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: There have been a number of times in my career where I’ve had to upskill quickly as I’ve taken on new and unfamiliar opportunities. Learning to be comfortable out of my depth was a big challenge at first, but I soon learnt to relish that type of environment as positive for my progression – now I firmly believe you never want to be the smartest nor most informed person in the room, as that means you’re less likely to be learning.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: I’ve been involved in a number of initiatives to support diversity in the industry, including organising events, discussions and programmes, particularly on gender balance, that have been really well attended. Helping to facilitate debates that have encouraged industry participants to start thinking differently about certain topics, begin questioning traditional norms, or advocate for causes they wouldn’t have otherwise done so has been really rewarding.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: That it’s a ruthless and cutthroat sector. While the industry may have a reputation for competitiveness, the reality is far more nuanced. Contrary to the stereotype, people in the industry are not only good-hearted, but are also genuinely committed to supporting one another. One of the most overlooked aspects is the willingness of individuals in the industry to invest their time and expertise in helping others upskill and learn.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: The slow widespread adoption of technology, particularly in comparison to other sectors. Having experienced the dynamism of a tech startup environment, where there was a palpable eagerness to leverage technology for learning and innovation, there is a noticeable contrast in much of the real estate sector. A prevalent issue is the resistance or hesitance in adopting technological advancements. The potential benefits of making better use of tech in property are vast, from enhanced efficiency in construction to data-driven insights when making investment decisions. Despite this, there seems to be a reluctance among some professionals to fully embrace new technology.
If given the opportunity to change one thing, it would be to foster a more widespread and enthusiastic adoption of AI as a positive force. I believe we need to shift the narrative surrounding technology from a perceived threat to a valuable tool.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: My passion for DE&I is deeply ingrained and has been a constant throughout my life, even from school! In my view, inclusion is not just a virtue; it is a tangible and impactful form of power that resides within everyone. Embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment is not only a moral imperative but also a sound business decision. The power of inclusion extends beyond mere representation; it is a catalyst for collaboration, bringing together a multitude of perspectives and experiences.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: I’d like to still be contributing to Feldberg’s growth. My aspiration is to be at the forefront of business development here, hopefully playing a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of the company. At present, I am deeply engaged in raising funds for the ReForm fund. Many of ReForm’s goals are set over five-year periods, and I am eager to see the fund mature, and help achieve its ambitious targets that are in place specially to ensure its investments have a positive meaningful impact for all stakeholders. ReForm is one of the first UK funds to link a proportion of the manager’s performance fees to pre-determined ESG targets, so we are yet more aligned to ensuring strong and happy communities throughout our portfolio over the investment period and beyond. It will be exciting to see what the results of this are over the next five years, and I want to be involved in steering them.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: Barack Obama would undoubtedly be at the top of my guest list.
What I do in my downtime: I grew up in the countryside so am always doing something outdoorsy when I have the time. I love walking, skiing, and cycling – just anything outside really! Traveling is also a passion, allowing me to explore new places and cultures whenever possible; I was lucky enough to take an extended career break last year which was truly amazing!
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: It’s a toss-up between a yoga instructor and a chief of staff for a socially conscious business… perhaps a health-tech start up with a focus on yoga!
My advice for someone just starting out: Seize every opportunity that comes your way and say yes to as much as possible. Building your network is crucial and you never know where those connections might lead. Embrace each opportunity as a chance to learn, grow and expand both personally and professionally.
My motto/mantra: “Just smile, and the world smiles with you.” I firmly believe that maintaining a positive and upbeat attitude puts you in good stead. In any situation, I choose to land on the positive side of the coin, embracing optimism as a guiding principle in both my personal and professional life.
