This case study is from 2014. We’re catching up with Ethical Property Australia to see what they’re up to in 2017. Watch this space.
Ethical Property Australia provides property solutions to socially or environmentally driven organisations. Based on a model that’s been operating successfully in Europe for 15 years, Ethical Property brings together ethically minded investors who want the security of a property backed investment but are also after a blended value return – one that delivers both a financial and a social or environmental return on their investment.
Ethical Property then uses these funds to provide property solutions to organisations that are doing good and can benefit from being co-located by sharing resources and potentially working together on some projects. These properties generally look like – but are not limited to – multiple occupancy office spaces.
While they’ve only worked on commercial spaces so far, they would be interested in investigating the potential for ethical residential projects. Ethical Property provides a range of services including purchasing, refurbishing and owning property, developing property on behalf of other owners, and then managing these properties.
“When I first arrived it was really helpful to have TDi question me on the way Ethical Property did things in the UK. It wasn’t easy, but it was useful to consider other ways of doing things”
– Peter Allen, CEO of Ethical Property Australia”
Peter Allen is the CEO of Ethical Property Australia. He previously worked at Ethical Property UK for over ten years, where he was the Property Director and helped the company grow from a small start up to employing 60 people and managing over 20 buildings.
While the Ethical Property model has functioned successfully in the UK and other countries, Peter has been focusing on re-examining to make sure it’s suitable for the Australian market, and to see where it can be improved.
When getting a property project off the ground, timing can be a challenge. The enterprise needs to bring investors, tenants and the right property together at the right time, often at short notice. Ethical Property also faces a similar challenge to many start ups; although they’ve received some start up funding, it’s important that they become financially sustainable as quickly as possible.
“We’ve loved working with TDi so far, and there’s still plenty we can do together.”
– Peter Allen, CEO of Ethical Property Australia
TDi introduced Ethical Property to the Business Model Canvas, which was useful in understanding the various elements that make up a successful business. They are also supporting Ethical Property in their development of a social and environmental impact reporting methodology.
One of the most useful aspects for Ethical Property has been the opportunity to network. “TDi have introduced me to other organisations in a similar position to Ethical Property,” said Peter, “even more importantly, they’ve also introduced me to individuals and organisations that we’ve been able to work with on various projects.”