SHINY HAPPY PEOPLE 9 This year s RICS and Macdonald & Company salary and benefits survey finds respondents fizzing with optimism. Felicity Francis reports Economic Activity Change In your chosen professional activity, what do you anticipate economic activity in the next 12 months to do? 8% Business sentiment 7% or confidence has 6% by 42%, with 7% improved significantly anticipating an 5% improvement in 4% economic activity 3% 28% last year. during, versus Negative business 2% sentiment has dropped by nine percentage 1% points, from 13% Increase Decrease 26 21 2 14 Remain unchanged to 4%. Positive mental attitude As Peter Moore, managing director of Macdonald & Company, says: It s the first time in eight years that it s a really strong story for UK agents. Although confidence was indeed up last year, this figure was nothing compared with the astronomical boost that is evident in this year s survey. A giant 7% of the 8,29 respondents anticipate an improvement in economic activity during compared with 28% in. Of the remainder, 26% think it won t change (compared with 59% last year), while only 4% said it would decrease, compared with 13% in and 29% in. In, 43% believe their pay and benefits will be positively affected by market conditions, versus 19% last year. On top of that, more than half of respondents (55%) predict that their organisation will increase head count in. This positive attitude demonstrates that the effects of the recovery are really starting to settle in throughout the country. Salaries have increased, the number of bonuses is on the increase (graphs, opposite and overleaf) and 67% assess their job security as either strong or very strong, a rise on last year s 62%. These results are particularly impressive given that the recovery only really started to take shape part way through the year, as Moore says: Last year was a game of two halves. January to June was sluggish, while things really took off after August. As such, I would anticipate much higher rises in the coming year. The UK is heading the charge out of the recession, and there is more confidence and more going on than in any of the other regions we work in across the globe.
Hiring Intentions Do you expect your organisation to increase headcount in? Pay and benefits How do you anticipate that your pay and benefits will be affected by market conditions in the next 12 months? Yes, significantly 9% More than half of respondents (55%) believe their organisation will Likely to leave profession 1% 1 point Don t know 4% 1 point Negatively 7% 8 points Respondents who believe their pay and benefits will be positively affected by increase head count market conditions in the Yes, modestly 46% in, with 46% of respondents expecting their next 12 months are up to 43% from 19% last year a 24 percentage point No 37% organisation to modestly increase head count and 9% expecting a significant increase in head count in. No change 45% 14 points Positively 43% 24 percentage points growth on the previous year. Just less than half (45%) do not anticipate any change (down 14 percentage points), while only 1% are likely to leave the I am not sure 8% profession (down one percentage point). Salaries: seven-year high The improvement in overall confidence boils down to increases in average salaries across the board. In average salaries are at the highest level in seven years, rising by 4.7% in the last year to 51,179. The average total reward of a UK property professional has increased from 77,7 to 78,974, as 54% received a base salary increase (43% in ) of on average 6.6% (up from 6.4%). One set of statistics of which to take note is the real industry change of salaries (graph, overleaf). When the average salary increase is offset against the average salary decrease and the number of people experiencing either, this rose significantly. Overall the industry experienced an increase of 5.1%, compared with 3.8% last year and 2.9% in. The overall increase stands out further when broken down by main profession, as certain sectors have risen much further than others. Overall, office agents reported a salary increase of 9.4%, a measure that stood at a much smaller 3.6% last year. Commercial development professionals also saw a real industry change of 7.8%, compared with 2.6% in, while the positive increase for retail agents was 1.7%, up from 5% in. Fund managers reported a positive change of 1.2%, which is an increase on last year s change of 9.5%. Whereas the increase in industrial agents salaries although still large at 1.4% has actually decreased from 11.2% in. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 28 Average UK Real Estate Salary What is your current annual base salary? 29 21 The real industry change in salaries relating to the main activity of the organisation is also indicative of the changes that are occurring in the industry. Developers reported the largest change of any group (7%) compared with an average decrease of 4.9% in. Moore believes this statistic is a good measure of where the industry is heading in the next few years: In the past 12 months, more development schemes have started or restarted than any other time in the last six years. This is being driven by investors in the market, such as overseas investors that are giving UK institutions a run for their money.» 211 The average salary is now at its highest level for the last 7 years. The average salary of a UK property professional has increased from 48,91 in to 51,179 (or up by 4.7%) in. This increase in average salary might equate to the % of respondents with higher responsibilities and years experience (53% of respondents have 16 or more years experience, versus 48% last year). How do you expect to compare with in terms of activity and confidence? We are certainly witnessing increased confidence across many of our UK markets. Our UK Outlook research shows that investor appetite for commercial property assets is increasing and volumes have risen markedly. Occupier activity is also rising in virtually all sectors save secondary retail. Colin Wilson, head of UK & Ireland at DTZ 21 2 14 27
How do you expect the regions to perform in? In London, there are lots of overseas long-term investors that don t generally trade properties, so the question is where the next wave of stock is going to come from. So I think that as confidence grows on an investor level, we will see more activity in portfolios across the regions. Ezra Nahome, chief executive, Lambert Smith Hampton 1% 5% -5% -1% -15% -2% -25% 6.6% Average increase Real Industry Change in Salary What change (if any) was made to your annual salary at your last pay review? No change -22.4% Average decrease 5.1% Real industry change Overall 43% of respondents received no change in base salary. Of the 54% that received an increase in base salary last year, the average increase was 6.6%. While 3% of respondents received a pay reduction, the average reduction was 22.4%. Considering the survey sample as a whole, the industry overall experienced an increase of 5.1%, up from 3.8% last year. Bonuses: more with less The number of UK property professionals who have received a bonus grew from 39% to 4%. Although a marginal increase, this is the highest percentage of respondents to secure a bonus since 29. However, the average value of a bonus has declined slightly, from 13,83 last year to 13,74. The highest bonuses continue to be paid to fund managers, who average 48,426, followed by property finance executives and those in financial institutions or funds. In terms of job role, managing directors and CEOs saw by far the greatest decline in bonus size. Although they still received the largest bonus on average, this declined from 61,436 to 44,181. The average bonus for office agents decreased from 13,38 in to 1,879. Two professions who saw in increase in bonuses, however, are retail agents from 7,31 to 1,583 and commercial developers from 25,1 to 32,518. Bonuses aside, the employment benefits enjoyed most by employees followed a similar trend to previous years. Having a mobile phone is still the most common benefit, while a contributory pension grew in popularity, as did health insurance. A company car and flexitime both declined in popularity. Gender gap: still too wide One slight victory demonstrated by the survey is that the gender pay gap narrowed ever so slightly between and. The average salary of a male UK property professional increased by 2.8%, while the average salary of their female counterparts increased by 5.4%. The premium for being a man has decreased from 3.3% last year to 25.5% this year. It is worth 15, 12, 32% Average UK Property Bonus Did you receive a bonus over the last 12 months and, if so, what was its value? 39% 4% Bonus by Level of Responsibility What was the approximate value of your annual bonus (or bonuses) over the last 12 months? 8, Managing directors/ceos secure the largest bonuses of, on 7, average, 44,181 a year, but saw a decline on last year. Those starting off in the profession (assistants/trainees) on average 6, secure 1,621, which decreased from 2,18 last year. 9, 5, 6, 3, 13,461 13,83 13,74 4, 3, 2, The number of property professionals who secured an annual 1, bonus increased from 39% last year to 4% this year. However, of those respondents who secured an annual bonus, the average was 13,74 compared with 13,83 last year. The highest bonuses continue to be paid within the fund management ( 48,426), property finance ( 38,255) and financial institution/fund ( 33,189) sectors. Assistant/ trainee/ graduate Staff/ surveyor/ other Senior Associate/ manager Partner/ director/ vice-president salaried Principal/ director/ partner equity Managing director/ceo 28 21 2 14
noting, though, that the number of women participating in the survey fell from 22% of respondents to 18%. However, there remains a stark gulf between the average salary figures: 52,927 for men compared with 41,655 for women. While the decrease in the gap is certainly excellent news, a lot more needs to be done for salaries to reach parity. When it comes to age, salaries rose across all groups. The under-3s secured the highest average salary increase. There is a much smaller gap between the pay of men and women in the lower age groups, a difference of 896 a year in the 23-26 age bracket compared with 11,816 for those aged above 56. Salary respondents based in Greater London continued to clock the highest average salary of 6,89, which is 7,865 greater than the next most well paid region, the south-east, and 21,27 above the region with the lowest average salary, Ireland. However, although it is the region with the lowest average salary, Ireland recorded the greatest year-onyear growth of 9.9%, while, in comparison, London increased by 6.6%. Moore highlights that London might have taken off before everywhere else, but there are signs that the regions are following. Nathan Wakelin, director and head of the Manchester office for Macdonald & Company, reports a real surge in activity: The West Midlands and north-west are really leading the charge in the regions, and we ve seen a real resurgence in all sectors. We can t create roles quick enough for surveyors and project managers, and on the practice side we re seeing more variety in types of work with some really interesting asset management and strategic development roles coming up.» Professional subscriptions/fees Performance-related bonus Other insurances (critical illness/life) Company car Lunches/luncheon vouchers Employment Benefits Which of the following additional benefits are included in your current package? Mobile phone Contributory pension Health insurance Company car allowance Flexitime Share option scheme Flexible benefits package Profit share Club membership Paid overtime None Other % 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8% Average Salary by Gender & Age The provision of a company mobile phone (65%, as per previous year) is the most common employee benefit received by a property professional. Contributory pension (6%, up by four percentage points), professional subscription/ fees (6%, up by five percentage points) and health insurance (44%, up by one percentage point) are also popular employee benefits across the sector. Average Salary by Gender and Age What is your current annual base salary? Average all 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, What is your current annual base salary? Male Female 18-22 23-26 27-3 31-35 36-45 46-55 Male UK property professionals earn more than their female counterparts at present on average 52,927 versus 41,655, or a 25.5% premium, down from a 3.3% premium last year. For those respondents aged 56 plus, there is a 11,816 annual average salary difference between males and females in comparison to the other end of the scale (23-26), where there is a 896 annual average salary difference. 56+ Greater London South-east South-west and Wales East Anglia Midlands North Scotland Ireland Other Respondents working in Greater London continue to earn on average the highest salary ( 6,89) across all the regions and command a premium of 7,865 versus the south-east in second place, or 21,27 in comparison to Ireland at the bottom of the league table. All regions have recorded year-on-year growth, and Ireland (+9.9%), Greater London (+6.6%) and East Anglia (+6.3%) have reported the largest growths in average annual salaries. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 21 2 14 29
moving JOB REASONS FOR LEAvINg EmPLOYER Not at all 21% no change How likely are you to change employer in the next 12 months? Very 15% 1 point Fairly 22% Not very 1 point 43% 1 percentage point 37% of respondents state that they are either very or fairly likely to move job in the next 12 months, which remains the same as last year. Staff: musical chairs predicted Employers be warned: job satisfaction might have risen, but the number of property professionals who may look to change jobs this year has also increased 37% of respondents are either very or fairly likely to move job in the next 12 months, which is a steady rise from 3% since 27. Most respondents do still seem likely to stay put, however. Perhaps indicative of the renewed general confidence in the market, job security has continued to fall as a reason for moving jobs, from 49% in to 46% in. One new question to the survey was: what key skills do people at a senior level often lack? Nearly three-quarters of respondents selected communications skills, while 67% highlighted having the right attitude and personality. Excellent communication was also highlighted as the most important quality for a leader to be successful. Factors that affect whether a professional is working for his or her employer of choice remain largely unchanged from previous years, and include business vision and future potential (57%) and reward and recognition (57%). Moore believes that we will see more professionals change company as development and deals take off even further throughout the year. In the past six months as development has taken off, we ve seen people move company for a rise of 3%-4%, he says. He also believes that the upturn will create recruitment challenges: There are going to be acute staff shortages in the market, with development being a particular hot spot. There will be a shortage of other frontline staff such as planners and surveyors, as lots of people moved on during the downturn. Employers have got to think about developing creative strategies to retain and hire staff. 9 If you were to leave your present employer, what would your main reasons be? Salary Career progression Range of interesting work Better benefits package Management style Location Job security Responsibility Working environment Redundancy Training/personal development Range of clients Change of career Retirement To start your own business Work in a different country Travel opportunities Latest technology EmPLOYER OF choice 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8% Better salary has seen a slight decrease in responses, down from 75% to 74% as the most likely reason to leave an existing employer. career progression, range of interesting work and better benefits package also continue to be important reasons to leave an existing employer. Interestingly, job security continues to fall as a reason to move job, from 49% in to 46% in. How important are the following factors in making your employer an employer of choice? Business vision and future potential Reward and recognition Company values/ethics Leadership/management style Work/life balance Brand values Colleagues/social dimension Promotional opportunities Personal development culture Internal communication Support in gaining your qualifications Corporate social responsibility policy Relocation possibilities 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 6% Of the 73% of respondents who consider that they are working for an employer of choice, the key factors are business vision and future potential, reward and recognition, company values/ethics, and leadership and management style. METHODOLOGY The 15th annual RICS and Macdonald & Company rewards and attitudes survey was completed by 8,29 UK property professionals between December and January. The results have been collated and analysed by BluSky Marketing. They are available from the RICS and Macdonald & Company websites. @ For fully interactive results of the Salary Survey, go to www./salarysurvey 3 21 2 14