BROLL: Always Opening New Doors

It has long been said that those in business who can see opportunities through challenges – those that have clear vision, not stifled by short-termism – are those that are the true drivers of change. In Africa, where the challenges are easy to identify but the solutions less so, it is a paradox for true entrepreneurs – loaded with heavy anchors for slow, cumbersome businesses, but rife with opportunity for those nimble and ambitious companies.

As the population swells, private companies and governments are looking at options in their countries to ensure the property demands are met with supply. Obviously residential is a concern and many are underway with aggressive new build campaigns. But in the commercial and industrial space, where businesses are positioned – creating employment and economic development – the environment is driven by the private sector.

By 2050, 2.6 billion people will call Africa home, and where they work will matter. Agriculture and industry remain the key sectors in Africa’s job market, but employment in these sectors is slowly shrinking. Digitisation and technology adoption are paving the way for significant growth in tertiary economic systems, and this will come with a different demand on property.

No one knows this more than Broll, the continents leading property group. Founded in 1975 as a property services business, the company has grown significantly to become a turnkey provider in the property industry. From administration, leasing, rental collection, facilities management, planning and design, through to greenifying and future proofing, this is a business that bleeds bricks and mortar.

RESILIENCE

In 2020, then-Broll MD Investor Services, now-COO Property Management, Nkuli Bogopa told Enterprise Africa that the company was becoming more resilient as it dealt with the challenges of lacking investor confidence and economic slowdowns in South and Southern Africa.

“Tough times require one to become more resilient, and resilience is something we drill into our teams and the management of the organisation. You have to be tougher than the circumstances you find yourself in,” she said.

In 2022, COO: Africa, Jess Cleland told Enterprise Africa that the opportunities in the market are endless and that capitalising on prospects sometimes only takes looking at the problem with a different mindset.

“There are so many opportunities out there,” she said. “One has to shift away from this idea that investment property is only retail, office, industrial, and residential assets. Now, especially in Africa, real opportunities lie in segments of the market where there is the greatest socio-economic need – property that meets a social need – services that a government would normally provide but where they might not have been able to keep up with demand. I’m talking about things like healthcare, education, infrastructure, affordable housing, student accommodation, data centres – those segments of the market, because of the pure supply versus demand, are where we will see real growth in the next 10 years.”

In 2024, business hurdles remain, economic challenges are here to stay, and it is easy to look on with peril rather than optimism. But Broll Group CEO Malcolm Horne is a glass half full character – an example to follow for many in the industry.

Taking up the role at the helm in 2003, Horne has always seen open doors where others see locks. While he admits that some issues are unwelcome, his leadership filters through 15 sub-Saharan African countries and 2000 employees, and the result is a positive mindset that contributes to a problem-solving culture that clients invest in.

“The growing population means a greater number of opportunities in education, housing and healthcare. I am surprised by the number of Nigerian and Ghanaian families who choose to educate their children in the United Kingdom and United States. With this becoming increasingly unaffordable, there is a real opportunity for private education providers across the continent,” he says.

STRONG PORTFOLIO

Broll is active in education, providing integrated facilities management to a number of educational facilities across the continent. Here, the private sector is important as significant investment is required to get property out of the ground. When a site is up and running and Broll steps in to manage and maintain, government can provide support in service delivery but the building itself will typically remain in investor hands. This is an opportunity for attraction of new investment on the continent. The supply and demand facts are undeniable. Educational buildings are required – across most markets – and Broll is well-positioned to support. Whether it’s learning centres, accommodation, or research facilities, education is not only central to commercial development but also in societal advancement. Here, Horne is also looking for opportunities amidst challenges.

“Given the economic challenges being faced in Nigeria and South Africa, in particular, both are seeing a substantial increase in the loss of talented and highly educated professionals to Europe, Canada and the United States. This leaves fewer skilled people to fill roles as well as lower tax revenue for governments,” he says.

For the property market, this is a challenge. Good businesses need great people to lead the way and human capital flight is damaging. At Broll, comprehensive learnership programs and apprenticeships are in place to help nurture and secure talent. That talent can eventually go on to support clients as they navigate their own journey creating an environment where people can thrive.

“We understand the importance of investing in the next generation,” he adds, “which is why we offer internships and mentorship programs for young talent. These initiatives not only provide valuable experience and skills development but also pave the way for future leaders in the industry.

“Both the inward and outward creation of opportunity feeds back into the world in which we all live and work. A better world for Broll to operate in, and a better world for our friends and family to live in. Everyone wins.”

In South Africa, Broll’s home – where its HQ stands in Sandton – the ongoing problem of power supply leaves limited options for a property manager. While the company can help clients to invest in back up power and alternative options, or advise on mitigation against the loadshedding schedule, if the lights go out Broll cannot switch them back on.

“Currently, the biggest challenge to this opportunity in South Africa, for example, is the country’s unreliable electricity supply,” says Horne.

However, Broll’s experience and deep understanding of the markets that it operates in – especially South Africa – means that it can offer up micro analysis of small details to help customers do the best possible in tough conditions.

“Our Energy, Water & Sustainability (EWS) service line is well positioned to assist clients in improving the overall productivity of their built environments, from minimising energy spending and reducing operating costs; to creating automated processes to ensure correct billing and recharging of accounts (smart metering); and coming up with mitigation strategies to reduce the risks associated with energy scarcity and optimise asset maintenance via proactive data, amongst other,” the company states.  

OPPORTUNITY ABOUND

While many consider if the challenge is worth the reward, Broll continues to deliver for clients, taking the built environment – a simple real estate number – and nurturing it to become something useful and proactive for businesses. Without the input of this expert service provider, many would face costs on a much higher scale. It’s tough, but it’s critical. An investment in Broll’s vision is a signal that you support sustainability.

“We understand that setbacks are not roadblocks but opportunities for growth. When we face adversity, we do so with grace and unwavering determination. It’s about acknowledging the hurdles, learning from them, and emerging stronger than before,” says Horne.

“I believe in the transformative power of opportunity. But not as a selfish endeavour – it’s not just about seizing it for ourselves, but about extending a hand to others and ensuring that everyone has a chance to thrive.”

Horne continues the message from Bogopa and Cleland, and reinforces a consistent message. There is always opportunity in real estate, and there is always major potential in Africa – it just takes intentional ambition and willingness to see it.