Maria Wiedner gave an introduction to RICS about the work of Real Estate Women, a network dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion within the property sector. The initiative focuses on empowering women in real estate, addressing gender pay gaps, and fostering leadership opportunities.
Please find below the key insights from this conversation, highlighting trends in the commercial property market, the evolving role of financial modelling, and the impact of sustainability and digital transformation.
To get involved, consider joining discussions with RICS, participating in industry panels, or attending the RICS Commercial Property Conference on 10 December 2025.
The RICS Commercial Property Podcast brought together three notable figures in the
property sector: Paul Bagust, Head of Property Practice at RICS; Maria Wiedner MRICS,
CEO and Founder of Cambridge Finance; and Nella Pang MRICS, Managing Director of
Omega RE. Their discussion provided a wide-ranging exploration of the current state of the
commercial property market, the evolving role of professional standards, the impact of
technology and sustainability, and the ongoing need to foster a more inclusive and diverse
industry.
Key Members of the RICS Commercial Property Professional Property
Panel (PGP):
– Chair: Roddy Houston – Net Zero Now (sustainability expert).
– Vice Chair: Jonathan Theobald – Derwent London (investment analytics).
– Maria Wiedner – Founder and CEO of Cambridge Finance and Real Estate Women
– Nella Pang – Managing Director, Omega RE
– Ola Alade – SME champion and asset manager.
– Yulia Park – Chartered surveyor, placemaking and community development.
– Joanne Hawkins – Partner at Bidwells, with global property experience.
– Teck Chew Tan – Head of Investment in Singapore (Asia-Pacific perspective).
– Yongki Hong – Swire Properties, Hong Kong (asset management).
The diversity within the group ensures broad representation across regions and
disciplines within the commercial property sector.
Introducing the Experts
Maria Wiedner began by sharing her background as an investment analyst and trainer with a
particular focus on real estate finance. She founded Cambridge Finance, a consultancy and
training firm specialising in financial modelling, and also established Real Estate Women, a
network dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the property sector.
Nella Pang followed, recounting her transition from a successful career at Jones Lang LaSalle
(JLL) to founding Omega RE, a commercial real estate firm with a disruptive approach.
Under her leadership, Omega RE became a certified B Corp, reflecting its commitment to
balancing profit with social and environmental responsibility. Her firm primarily advises clients on their UK-wide property strategies, combining acquisitions, site growth management, and repositioning assets to align with the changing demands of hybrid working
and shifting high street dynamics.
The Role of the Commercial Property Professional Group Panel (PGP)
The discussion shifted towards the Commercial Property Professional Group Panel (PGP), a
forum created by RICS following the Birchard Review to enhance member engagement
across various sectors. Unlike panels that focus on specific disciplines like valuation, the
commercial property panel covers a broad sectoral remit, reflecting the diversity of the
industry.
Maria and Nella both serve on this panel, which brings together a diverse group of
professionals, from SME champions to global investors and placemaking experts. Their
collective expertise spans asset management, sustainability, digital transformation, and
community development. The panel serves as a vital conduit between RICS members and the
institution itself, ensuring that evolving market practices and member concerns inform the
development of industry standards, guidance notes, and professional training.
Current Market Dynamics and Emerging Trends
When discussing the state of the commercial property market, both Maria and Nella offered
complementary perspectives.
Nella highlighted the ongoing uncertainty within the office market as businesses continue to
navigate the complexities of hybrid working. This has led to an increase in flexible leasing
options, fitted offices, and co-working solutions as landlords seek to adapt. In contrast, the
industrial sector has demonstrated resilience, with rising rental values driven by demand for
high-quality, ESG-compliant spaces. Occupiers are increasingly demanding sophisticated
specifications, including renewable energy installations and environmentally sustainable
design.
Maria brought a financial lens to the conversation, focusing on the recalibration caused by
rising interest rates. She explained that the era of cheap borrowing had led to aggressive
property acquisitions, but the sharp increase in interest rates over the past two years had
forced a market correction. This “repricing” phase is now largely complete, and institutional
investors are beginning to return to the market, albeit with more cautious, yield-sensitive
strategies.
Financial Modelling as a Decision-Making Tool
Maria provided insight into real estate financial modelling, a discipline often misunderstood
within the broader property sector. She described it as a forward-looking analysis of cash
flows, rental income, and future expenses, helping investors evaluate the viability of projects
over their holding periods. Unlike traditional valuation methods that often rely on historical
data, financial modelling enables investors to simulate future scenarios and quantify the
impact of factors such as capital expenditure, interest rates, and tenant demand.
Evolving Standards and Professional Development
A key theme throughout the podcast was the need for RICS standards and guidance to evolve
in step with market changes. Both Maria and Nella underscored the importance of upskilling
professionals, particularly given the growing influence of sustainability and technology on
property decisions. They cited examples like the RICS Service Charge Code and the
forthcoming Leasing Code as critical documents requiring updates to better reflect issues
such as green leases and digital risks.
The PGP is actively supporting these initiatives, including developing guidance on AI in real
estate and exploring how building performance can be assessed beyond traditional cost
metrics to account for occupier experience.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Change
Both Maria and Nella are passionate advocates for gender equality and greater diversity in
real estate. They candidly shared their personal experiences navigating a traditionally male-
dominated sector.
Nella founded the Strong Female Lead, a global support network, to provide women with a
platform to share their experiences and foster professional growth. She spoke openly about
the challenges she faced balancing motherhood with her leadership responsibilities, and the
lingering stigma that women often encounter when returning to work after having children.
Maria established Real Estate Women over a decade ago to combat the isolation she felt as
one of the few women in senior property finance roles. The network has grown into a
respected platform championing gender equality, with a particular focus on researching and
addressing the gender pay gap in the property sector. Maria noted that while progress has
been made, the industry still lags behind other sectors, particularly when it comes to senior
leadership representation.
Both speakers emphasised that diversity initiatives are not about excluding men but about
educating leadership on the unique challenges women face. Greater awareness of issues like
flexible working and maternity policies can create a more inclusive environment, ultimately
improving talent retention and fostering innovation.
Key Takeaways:
Commercial Property Panel (PGP): Diverse group advising RICS on member needs, standards, and professional development.
Office Market: Still adjusting to hybrid working; landlords exploring flexible leasing and fitted office solutions.
Industrial Sector: Strong performance driven by ESG-compliant, high-specification
spaces.
Interest Rate Environment: Market adjusting to higher borrowing costs; repricing largely complete; cautious investor optimism.
Real Estate Financial Modelling: Essential for future cash flow forecasting and investment viability assessment.
Standards and Upskilling: Focus on updating RICS Service Charge Code, Leasing Code, and integrating ESG and digital risks.
Diversity and Inclusion: Networks like Strong Female Lead and Real Estate Women empower women, address gender pay gaps, and promote leadership diversity.
Call to Action: Attend the RICS Commercial Property Conference on 10 December 2025 and engage with RICS on emerging industry needs.
This podcast underscored the sector’s need to embrace flexibility, sustainability, and
technology while ensuring equality and professional development remain central to its
future growth.
Please click the link below to find the Podcast:
http://rics.org/about-rics/corporate-governance/professional-group-panels/commercial-property
