ABSTRACT
The following case study breaks with the format of the others because it does not look at a single occupier or development. Rather, it looks at an entire sector. The reason for doing this is that it can be argued that entire sectors follow broadly similar processes, take space in the same way and have a generally equivalent approach to real estate asset management. Businesses in a sector compete with each other, adopt successful practices from others and keep a careful eye on developments within their markets. Staff move from one firm to another within the sector, socialise in trade and professional gatherings and generally talk to one another. Proven strategies are copied, mistakes are learned from and regulators enforce standard protocols. All of these forces drive businesses towards similarity, and, therefore, it is worth examining these within one example.
