5 minutes with Daniel Herbert, CEO of SSKB Strata Managers

How did you get involved in the development industry?

SSKB has a Development Consulting Division and we work with many of Queensland’s and Australia’s leading developers from initial discovery, titling aspects and budgets, assist in the preparation of disclosure documents for sales, right through to the First EGM and settlement.

Career highlight?

Many years ago, I was fortunate to be involved on the developer side with Russell McCart and Meridien when they developed the Teneriffe Woolstores. I loved them so much I bought one off the plan. These days we (SSKB) are fortunate to have been involved on the consultancy side with some high profile projects such as Sekisui’s West Village, Consolidated Properties Yeerongpilly Green, Mirvac’s Brisbane Racecourse Development and Lendlease’s RNA Development.

What inspires you?

Leaders who excel by pushing boundaries and those who create new markets through their dreams and foresight. Walt Disney created the customer service template with the ultimate dream of ‘making people happy’. Bill Gates brought a computer into every house and workplace. Amazon are redefining how we shop and Elon Musk how we commute. Leading developers are now designing how we want to live, not just where we want to live. Just like Maha Sinnathamby has created at Springfield. Whether it be through design or function to enhance the liveability and sustainability, the use of technology to make things simpler and inter-connected.

What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned in your career?

I’ve had a few careers but something that cuts across everything is to pick up the phone – email has no tone and can be misconstrued. Oh…and always carry a piece of paper to look like you’re busy 😊.

What advice would you give to young professionals starting in the industry?

Don’t be in such a hurry. Do the time, learn your craft, and build your network.

Where do you see the property development industry in the next 10 years?

In a very positive space. I think we may see an increased demand for space post COVID. More master planned communities built on the city peripheries around new or existing transport networks. We will see more high rises for aged care and possibly even schools (though they may be further off than 10 years). Design will have space and amenity in mind as well as tech and environmental sustainability. In Brisbane, we will see the completion of Queens Wharf and the Cross River Rail, Brisbane Live and other projects of State significance. We will probably have the Olympic Games hosted in SEQ in 2032 also. So while the sun shines like it does and as often as it does, we will have people from interstate and overseas wanting to live here.

Tell us about the latest trends in the industry.

Society is leaning in to self-service and the personalisation of service. SSKB is in the strata business so our thinking is how we can create the least amount of friction and free up the most amount of time for our clients, be it apartment owners and investors or developers. Technology can play a big part here in having the information you need at your fingertips but also knowledgeable people at the end of a phone line. In the development space I think we may start to see developers thinking about purchasers in terms of their lifecycle and ‘lifetime value’ and providing products which suit their stages of life, with a view to keep them as a client for life.

Learn about SSKB Development Consulting