Stanlib’s Amelia Beattie new SAPOA President

From SA Property Owners Association:

With a career steeped in commercial property, new SAPOA President Amelia Beattie

is set to lead this representative body.

SAPOA (the South African Property Owners Association) was established in 1966 to create a powerful platform for property investors. Today SAPOA is the voice of commercial property. Its members control about 90% of all commercial and industrial property in South Africa.

Neil Gopal, SAPOA CEO, says: "The appointment of Beattie as President of SAPOA is positive for SAPOA. She is respected for her professional knowledge, highly motivated approach and has a passion for the commercial property sector. She has shown her deep commitment as a past national and regional councillor of SAPOA, as well as serving the sector in various other roles."

Beattie is Chief Investment Officer – Direct Property Investments at Stanlib and is tasked with maintaining the Liberty Property Portfolio. This portfolio is managed within Stanlib's Direct Property Investments Franchise which is now valued at R30 billion. She has  been active in the commercial property sector for over 15 years and holds a BCom in Financial Accounting and Transport economics, as well as a Certificate in Shopping Centre Management.

Beattie also serves on the board of Cullinan (Pty) Ltd limited on behalf of Liberty Group Limited. She is a past National Chair of the Women's Property Network, where she was also an executive member for 10 years and remains a Trustee of Women's Property Network Education Trust. Beattie won the WPN Nedbank 5-star Woman award in 2008, which recognises an exceptional woman in the property industry.

Speaking at the 46^th Annual SAPOA International Property Convention and Exhibition in Cape Town yesterday (June 12), Beattie urged delegates to remember to keep the "real" in real estate: "Property is tangible, you can touch and feel it. We need to make sure our goals can make a real difference to the people in the industry."

She has set out to keep SAPOA's goals 'real' under her stewardship, and centred them on relationships, education, advocacy and leadership (REAL).Beattie places high priority on educating and growing as many people as possible during her term as SAPOA President: "We'll find ways to better understand where the gaps are that we need to close and ensure people understand our education opportunities."

She adds: "The commercial property sector is able to change the lives of so many people through bricks and mortar. Property is an amazing industry, not only for investors, but we create jobs, trading environments and impact lives. I hope we can create an environment where property is a career of choice for school leavers by fostering a greater awareness of the awesome opportunities this industry offers."

Beattie is SAPOA's third woman President. Other members of SAPOA's board for 2014-2016 includes:

* Neil Gopal, CEO

* Estienne de Klerk, Immediate Past President

* Mike Deighton, President Elect

* Dr Sedise Moseneke

* Nomzamo Radebe

* James Aling

* David Green

* Izak Petersen

* Peter Levett

* Ipeleng Mkhari, and

* Marius Muller