Opportunity to rethink how real estate can drive performance
Commercial real estate professionals must adapt to shifting global dynamics by rethinking how decisions support long-term business performance, according to Paul Danks, international representative on the SIOR Board and director at DRG Group.
Speaking to Real Asset Media at EXPO Real 2025, Danks said: “What we’re seeing right now is that the real competitive edge in commercial real estate comes from understanding how global forces are shaping local markets and being able to respond quickly to those changes.
“At SIOR, we have over 4,000 members in over 50 countries, which gives us a constant stream of on-the-ground insight, and that’s vital when clients are looking not just for advice but for forward-thinking solutions,” he added.
Danks said clients that succeed are those “asking better, more strategic questions about how their space supports their business.”
He added: “This isn’t just a period of change, it’s a real opportunity to rethink how real estate can drive performance, reduce risk and support long-term goals like flexibility, innovation and sustainability.”
He emphasised that sustainability has become fundamental to competitiveness in the sector. “If you’re not taking sustainability seriously, it is actually a licence to operate,” Danks said.
“If you are not really adjusting your approach to dealing with real estate, to investing with real estate and to occupying real estate, then you’re going to be facing some serious challenges in the future.”
“At SIOR, we take ESG and ESG strategy and sustainability very, very seriously and support our members across Europe in working with their clients on that very important subject,” he explained.
