Earlier this month, AREF’s FutureGen Committee was delighted to host a breakfast event with Anne Breen, Head of Real Estate at Aberdeen Investments, in conversation with Frankie Demetriades, member of the FutureGen Committee and colleague at Aberdeen.
Anne shared her career journey from studying architecture, to becoming Head of Research, through to her current leadership role as Head of Real Estate. She reflected on the pivotal moments that shaped her path, the importance of resilience during mergers, and the role of mentors and networks in navigating change.
Building a career in real estate
Anne emphasised the value of a global perspective, explaining how her early experience researching markets across the UK, Europe and Asia gave her insights that shaped her career trajectory. She also highlighted the importance of advocating for yourself, sharing how she learned that simply doing a good job is not always enough – positioning yourself for leadership opportunities is equally essential.
She spoke candidly about the challenges of working through a major merger, noting that one of the most valuable pieces of advice she received was to build a strong network across the organisation. This proved instrumental in helping her adapt to change and strengthen her career.
Leadership and authenticity
Reflecting on her leadership style, Anne stressed the importance of authenticity. Coming from a Glaswegian, working-class background, she felt she brought a different perspective to leadership within the real estate industry – one that has served her well in connecting with colleagues and leading teams.
She shared practical advice for aspiring leaders:
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Be proactive in seeking opportunities rather than waiting to be asked
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Listen carefully and understand what motivates others
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Deliver consistently and build trust with peers and senior leadership
Anne also acknowledged that not everyone needs to pursue leadership. Many will find rewarding and successful careers by specialising in a particular field, and these roles can be just as valuable and well-rewarded.
Trends shaping real estate
Looking ahead, Anne discussed the major themes influencing the real estate market:
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Shift from Defined Benefit to Defined Contribution pensions, which is reshaping investor demand
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Thematic investment strategies focused on logistics, residential, and demographic-driven opportunities
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Blurring of real estate and infrastructure, particularly with the rise of data centres, energy storage and connectivity
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ESG becoming embedded into all aspects of investment, moving from a separate consideration to an integral part of decision-making
She also touched on the growing role of AI and automation in real estate, from valuations to investment processes, and encouraged early-career professionals to be curious about how technology can change the industry.
Advice for early careers
Anne closed with advice for those starting out:
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Invest in yourself – whether through learning new skills, public speaking, or understanding emerging technologies
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Build your network – both within and outside your organisation
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Don’t be afraid to specialise – leadership is not the only route to success
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Remember your value – often, you are the expert in the room
A positive discussion
The breakfast concluded with an open Q&A, covering decision-making, social mobility, and the role of lawyers in supporting investment managers. Anne also spoke about her belief that the real estate industry must do more to improve social diversity and mobility, citing the success of abrdn’s school leaver programme as an example of how firms can broaden access to the sector.
This was an inspiring and honest discussion, offering FutureGen members unique insights into leadership, resilience, and the evolving role of real estate.
A special thank you to Anne, Frankie and all at Aberdeen Investments for allowing us to host the breakfast.