Transnet Retirement Funds Property Trust has awarded its Gauteng commercial property portfolio contract to Finlay and Associates from 1 April 2003. The commercial portfolio consists of 13 office blocks and parks, many of which are ‘A’ grade properties, predominately situated in the Northern Suburbs of Johannesburg.

“Our focus will be to support the asset management strategy implemented by Transnet Pension Fund (the Property Asset Managers to the Transnet Retirement Funds Property Trust) through our marketing strategy and the brokering fraternity, to increase occupancy levels,” states Lynette Finlay, managing director of Finlay and Associates.

“One of our company’s highest priorities is tenant retention, as twenty years of experience has shown us that it can cost clients up to one year’s rental to re-let premises. Not only will we provide in-depth management, personalised service and results orientated systems and controls but also expect to streamline expenses and increase the overall performance of the portfolio.

“The company’s current institutional portfolio management has seen a 20% bottom line growth achieved through management expertise, expert control on maintenance expenditure without compromising service and the adding of value for tenants, through energy, waste and water savings.

“The project team, led by Julie Hilary, operations director, includes Roberta Naidoo, Thembeka Scott, Nadine dos Santos and Nicole McLachlan.  We are delighted that our predominantly women led company has been appointed to make further strides in this male dominated industry,” concludes Finlay.

“The Transnet Retirement funds Property Trust went through a thorough tender process to find the best managers who specialise in the different niche management sectors who are able to add value to our property portfolio.   We believe that we have found this with Finlay and Associates and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship”, comments Cheryl Wendelken, Executive, Property Portfolio, Transnet Pension Fund.