A guiding hand – JAHAMA

Pictured: JAHAMA’s Glenshero Estate, United Kingdom

From the UK to Australia and across four continents, GFG Alliance’s property arm JAHAMA is bringing an innovative approach to property stewardship.

Twisting its way through the famous Scottish Highlands, the River Spey is known for both its fine whisky distilleries and diverse aquatic life. Species including freshwater pearl mussel, sea lamprey and otter all call the waterway’s pristine waters home.

Now, an initiative by GFG Alliance’s property arm, JAHAMA, is helping the river’s abundant salmon population to cope better with the challenges of climate change. Earlier this year, workers undertook extensive planting along the banks of the Spey where it flows through the Glenshero Estate managed by JAHAMA. Some 90,000 trees, including birch, scot’s pine, willow, alder, rowan and juniper were planted over an area of 49.2 hectares.

By bringing shade to the banks of the river, the move is expected to protect salmon spawning grounds as temperatures rise over the next 50 years, while also improving the landscape and increasing biodiversity.

The activities on Glenhero Estate reflect JAHAMA’s commitment to responsibly and sustainably managing the properties in its extensive portfolio. JAHAMA successfully manages properties on four continents, including commercial, office, agricultural, energy and recreational assets.

In Scotland, JAHAMA’s holdings make it that country’s fifth-largest land owner, with the Highland Estates taking in over 46,000 hectares. The land is made up of some of the most stunning scenery in Europe and the estates provide the catchment area for the water supply to hydropower stations at Fort William and Kinlochleven.

Australian launch
Now, JAHAMA has begun operations in Australia, with Simonne Bailey stepping into the role of local Managing Director earlier this year. She says JAHAMA’s existing operations provided her with a great framework on which to build.

“The first two stages of our strategy here are aligned with the strategy of UK JAHAMA,” says Simonne, who worked for infrastructure and construction company Lendlease before joining GFG Alliance. “However, I believe we’re in a unique position in Australia in being a true end-to-end value creator.”

Simonne explains the first stage of JAHAMA’s strategy in Australia has been to take stock of the Group’s local property holdings to seek out efficiencies. This has involved looking for opportunities to consolidate sites, co-locate businesses and improve leasing structures. With this underway, step two now involves assessing development opportunities within Australia and creating a strong brand within the development space.

“We’re getting a feel for things like the local market, the strongest trends globally, what’s important in mixed-use developments, what is happening in each state in terms of employment and skills, and how people might be living in the future,” she says. Simonne says a strong, recognisable brand is also crucial, and this may be either JAHAMA or a new brand identity.

The third stage for JAHAMA in Australia deviates from the experience overseas by aiming to create a product-development support offering. This would involve looking across the GFG Alliance for new innovative products to develop and launch to the construction market.

JAHAMA Australia Operations Director Daniel Hargraves, Senior Property Asset Manager Andrew Meyer and Managing Director Simonne Bailey

A true thought leader
“It’s important that the construction industry here doesn’t just see us as a property developer, but as a thought leader in methodology,” says Simonne. “So, the innovation might be in structure, it might be in product support, it might be in customer service. It’s a real end-to-end offering.”

Right now in Australia, there are some very exciting proptech models showcasing the innovative culture of our start-up community, and JAHAMA is very much looking to support this industry. “We are excited about developing a new concept, working in partnership with industry to transform our current asset portfolio into smart ecosystems,” says Simonne. “We will do this leveraging our renewable energy platform, green steel production strategy and sustainable supply chain practices to evolve and create new communities. We are very much interested in working in collaboration with all parts of the industry to drive and explore what is possible.”