Five minutes with Tom Kiss

How did you join the property industry?

I took a slightly unconventional route into property. I studied economics and then completed an MPhil in management, rather than a real estate degree. During that time, I interned in investment banking and private equity and realised I wanted to work in investing and development. That led me to my first real estate role at Marcol, a family office and real estate private equity platform. I’ve been in the industry ever since.

What does your job entail now?

I’m a vice-president in development investment at Trammell Crow Company (TCC). My role covers all aspects of development within our UK logistics business, from our existing portfolio to new acquisition opportunities. I’m mainly focused on the commercial and deal side of projects rather than the technical delivery, but I work closely with our development management and construction teams to bring everything together.

What do you like most about the industry?

I love the tangible nature of the work, which is particularly rewarding from a development perspective. There’s something innately satisfying about taking a piece of land – whether greenfield or brownfield – and transforming it into something genuinely useful and long-lasting.

There’s also huge variety, from acquisition and planning through to construction, leasing and operations, which means you work with so many different people while seeing a project through its full lifecycle.

And what do you dislike most about it?

A frustration can be the pace of the development process in the UK. Projects often take longer than anyone would like, and navigating the necessary procedures – particularly within the planning system – can add complexity and uncertainty.

What barriers or challenges do you feel you have overcome?

The past few years have been challenging for real estate globally, and the UK has been no exception. This coincided with a point in my career when I took on much more responsibility, which brought its own pressures. Navigating that combination was challenging, but it has also been a valuable learning experience, and it is encouraging to now see early signs of improvement both in the wider macro environment and in the logistics submarkets we operate in.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Early in my career I worked on the sale of a €500m (£433m) logistics portfolio through a competitive bidding process. I was still relatively new to the industry, and the learning curve was steep. Being part of such a large and complex deal – and seeing it deliver a strong outcome for investors – was both challenging and hugely rewarding.

What’s your biggest career mistake or regret?

At the start of my career I decided not to pursue the RICS qualification, focusing instead on completing the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) programme. While CAIA is a well-respected and useful accreditation, in hindsight the RICS qualification would probably have been more directly relevant to my day-to-day work in real estate. That said, every route teaches you something.

What advice would you give someone starting a career in the property industry?

Be intellectually curious and willing to get stuck into a wide range of work from day one. If you can, join an organisation that will give you responsibility early and put you into situations you might not feel completely ready for. I’ve found that many things seem daunting at first, but with a willingness to learn and a bit of experience, they quickly become manageable.

Who in property do you most admire?

Nigel Lax, co-founder of the industrial and logistics side of Marcol, was a mentor early in my career. He was incredibly generous with his time and always willing to offer guidance. I learned a great deal working with him during those formative years.

What TV series do you like?

Grand Designs. I love seeing how people turn ambitious ideas into reality, and it probably reflects a longer-term ambition of mine to design and build my own home one day.

What book would you recommend?

Scary Smart by Mo Gawdat. It’s a fascinating look at AI, exploring both the potential risks and the huge opportunities it presents for society.

What’s your number-one travel destination?

Japan. I’ve only ever heard great things from people who’ve been. My wife and I planned to go there for our honeymoon but weren’t able to, so it’s still very much at the top of our list.

What superpower would you like to have and why?

The ability to stop time. It would be helpful in all sorts of situations, from managing deals to getting on top of everyday life, especially with a toddler running around at home!