In profile: Jones Lang LaSalle's Asia Pacific managing director Mike Walsh

In profile: Jones Lang LaSalle's Asia Pacific managing director Mike Walsh
Larry SchlesingerDecember 7, 2020

macreemarch20one

Michael Walsh is the managing director of Jones Lang LaSalle's Hospitality, Education & Healthcare Service division in the Asia Pacific, an area where he sees strong growth opportunity over the next ten years and beyond.

mikewalshAgent: Michael Walsh
Position: Managing director, Hospitality, Education & Healthcare Services, Asia Pacific
Company: Jones Lang LaSalle
Office location: Brisbane

How long have you been in the industry? 

I originally graduated as an architect in the UK in 1991 and since then, have gained 22 years professional experience in this industry, covering development, design and construction.

What’s happening in the area you specialise in?

We have the good fortune to be in the Asia Pacific region where so much is currently happening. 

I have personal experience across a range of real estate sectors, but my current focus is on Hospitality, Education and Healthcare and this is really where we see a strong growth opportunity over the next ten years and beyond. 

Global and regional trends have determined our strategy. These include factors such as an ageing population; the emerging affluence and aspirations of the new middle classes in Asia; the phenomenal rate of urbanisation and population growth in cities, and the significant attraction the region holds as a travel destination for the rest of the world. 

The real estate landscape in all three sectors has undergone significant transformation over the last ten years, and continues to evolve. New types of participants have emerged, particularly in education and healthcare where international brands are being drawn to the region so that the Asian domestic population can access them in their own environment rather than having to travel internationally. This, in turn, brings a new dynamic to the inter-regional travel and hospitality market and portfolio ownership. 

The growth of inter-Asian tourism, coupled with the increasing international popularity of the region’s cities and resorts, continues to drive the demand for hotels and hospitality facilities, including those sought for meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions (MICE). 

Jones Lang LaSalle has the benefit of 40 years’ experience in Asia, and has developed a deep presence across the region which means that, as these sectors continue to evolve, our objective is to utilise the best of the firm’s full life cycle Real Estate Service platform - both for existing and new clients.

Describe the most interesting property you have sold/leased/developed

The project that stands out as the most interesting would be the first really large scale project I worked on as an architect in China from 1996-1999; a luxury residential development in the French quarter of Shanghai. I still pass it regularly on my business trips and recall the many marvellous experiences it afforded me over the 4 years of complete dedication I gave to it. This project was my first experience of doing business in China – something I have continued to be involved in ever since.

What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?

Collaboration, trust and respect are the core values that are needed by all people at a senior level in any business, and they are an essential part of my role at Jones Lang LaSalle as I work across many facets of the business platform.

Beyond that, for me it’s about behaviour which I hope reflects what I would like to see in other people, namely, clear and strong communication, and a committed support for my team.

What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?

People are by far the best part of the job. It’s great to be in an industry, and an organisation with so much talent. Being able to build trust, and innovation, with both clients and colleagues as a collective group is invaluable.

The creative process is where I am most comfortable - sharing ideas while learning from other people. This works best within trusted relationships, but when a diversity of backgrounds and skills come together, the creative opportunities are boundless

Where would you invest a spare $750,000?

I have tried many forms of investment, but none have benefited me as much as property, so that’s where I would focus.

The London market presents some good opportunities if you can look beneath the mini bubble that has been created in parts of the City. In order to really understand the market, I personally feel that it is important to do as much research as possible before making the commitment to buy, whether at home or abroad.

Which football team do you support?

I am British so it’s ‘football’ for me (we don’t call it soccer!) I am a long suffering, but diehard, Leeds United fan - a relationship that started at the age of 5 and has provided more downs than ups in the last 40 years, but one I will never change.

What’s your favourite app or techno gadget?

I use many, but the one app that really engages me is TED Talks. It showcases people with such a huge diversity of thought with amazing experiences to share. I find the talks on innovation, technology, and architecture particularly engaging.

How do you use social media?

Like many others of my generation I have changed my attitude towards social media over the last few years. I am quite passive in terms of self-contribution, but I’m active as a watcher and listener, both professionally and personally. I have seen increasing business value in platforms such as LinkedIn where adoption has grown exponentially in the last year or so.

On the social side I tend to connect vicariously through my family’s various accounts and applications

Follow Mike:

Twitter: @JLLAsiaPacific

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jones-lang-lasalle

Larry Schlesinger

Larry Schlesinger was a property writer at Property Observer

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