About
Professional Summary
As Head of Research and Economics at global property advisors Colliers based in London, I lead a team of researchers identifying timely research topics and directing research and forecasting outputs. I have 25+ years of UK and European property industry experience and extensive expertise across a wide range of sectors and related industries. I participate regularly in industry panel discussions, but am focused more on direct client engagement with institutions, property companies, banks, and private investors. A regular media commentator, I have a wide range of national publication and broadcast experience. I joined Colliers International in August 2007 after several years at a private property company where I was responsible for managing a mixed portfolio of London residential, retail and office assets. Previously, I worked in a few London property advisory firms, a geodemographic company as well as a few youthful sojourns in the US offshore oil industry, local government and entertainment business. I am an economics graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and received a PhD from the Faculty of Science at University College London. I am a member of the London Property Economics Forum and Society of Property Researchers.
Perhaps best known for my alternative take on property economics and investment, I am a keen proponent of UK regional development and infrastructure investment.
Accomplishments
Promoting Colliers effectively through publication, direct client engagement and industry speaking engagements.
Producing data rich publications, presentations and commentaries covering a wide range of global and UK topics: (1) commercial real estate economic outlooks, trends and forecasts; (2) UK regional devolution and 'Levelling Up'; (3) redefining how research may be used to support commercial property agency and professional services business development.
Education
PhD (Faculty of Science) University College London
BA & MA (Economics/Geography) University of Texas at Austin
Memberships & Involvements
Society of Property Researchers
London Property Economics Forum
Clients
ABF plc, Church Commissioners for England, Lloyd's plc
Testimonials
'I found sharing views both enlightening and interesting. Dr Boettcher certainly is impressive' James Allum. Aviva.
'Walter is a very good speaker and his views genuinely differ from the prevailing consensus. For the record, I think he’s right.' Luke Powell. Aviva.
‘Thanks. I appreciate your snappy reports packed with facts to back it up. Keep it up.’ Colin Humphries. Canada Life Investments.
‘Good do yesterday morning - particularly impressed by your economics bloke -- too often they drone on and talk over everyone's heads - thought he was very engaging and got it just right.’ Neil Sellers, Senior Manager, The Co-operative Banking Group
‘Thank you for speaking at our luncheon today . . . you received great reviews . . . We look forward to seeing you again. Richard Hollander, Executive Vice President. The Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR).
‘They all love Walter to death, can I have bit of what he's got !’ Bob Marston. Cancer UK.
‘The Lambda Alpha International Board expresses its great thanks for such a wonderful talk yesterday. You got fab reviews!’ Dr Karen Sieracki. Kaspar Associates.
Services
Service Lines
My Team
My Team
Oliver is Head of Economic Research and leads the quarterly UK forecasting process including the publication of Colliers' Real Estate Investment Forecasts (REIF) report. He also authors the monthly Property Snapshot and, quarterly Scotland Snapshot. Prior to joining Colliers, he worked for the Centre for Economics and Business Research and IHS Markit. Oliver holds a BA in Economics from Georg-August University Göttingen (Germany) and an MSc in Economics from Exeter University.
Lee Layton
Director | Head of Operational Real Estate Research
Research and Forecasting
London - West End
Lee focuses on research within the operational or ‘beds’ capital markets sector. In this role Lee works closely with our key clients to create bespoke research pieces, whilst also supporting our National Capital Markets team. Lee has over 17 years’ experience in residential and alternatives property markets, in a career that spans residential agency, management, through to research, and has worked with some of real estate’s leading market operators.
Our priority is to provide our capital markets customers with first class service, whether they are new entrants or already established within the sector.
Guy has been a property research professional for 23 years and gained extensive knowledge of the UK and Global property markets. He has worked closely with a wide variety of major developers, landlords and occupiers in a consultancy capacity. Instrumental in supporting Hines' purchase of Brindleyplace for £200m, on which Colliers advised. He is now specialising in the London Office market using his extensive knowledge and experience to provide market leading insight into current occupier, investment and development trends.
Andrea Ferranti
Director for Industrial Client Engagement
Research and Forecasting
London - West End
Andrea is the Head of Industrial & Logistics Research at Colliers with 10 years of market experience. He works closely with the Research & Forecasting team whilst supporting the Industrial & Logistics leasing and investment teams nationally in providing research and advice to clients. He leads on the division’s key research papers which include the Industrial Rents Map and the Industrial & Logistics Market Pulse – both of which have become key benchmark publications highly valued by occupiers, developers and UK investors operating in the sector.
Information Officer with 22 years experience of working on a business information enquiry service, 20 years in the property industry.
Sara focuses on research in the operational or 'beds' capital markets sector. In her role she is working with Lee Layton, head of Operational Real Estate Research, on bespoke research consultancy work. Sara works with the team to support significant investments in mainly the multifamily, single-family housing and purpose-built student accommodation sectors.
Prior to joining Colliers in October 2022, Sara worked as Market Development Associate for just under two years at EG (part of LexisNexis Risk Solutions) in London, UK. Her job role involved researching real estate data product development, product improvement and competitor analysis. Her research areas included operational real estate, mainly build-to-rent and purpose-built student accommodation, as well as ESG.