Recalls days at Kyiv Post
Youthful Vadim Livshyt, 31, was appointed Dec. 21 as the new general director at Colliers International, one of the leading real-estate consulting companies on the Ukrainian market. Livshyts, who replaced longtime Colliers International General Director Sergiy Sergiyenko, started off his career at the Kyiv Post in the 1990s. He later worked as national sales manager at UMC and commercial director at First Leasing /Hertz. The Colliers International job will be his first experience in the real estate business.
The Post interviewed Livshyts in his office on Dec. 30.
KP: Tell us about your professional background, work experience and projects that you have been working on.
VL: Talking about my career, the first serious place of work was actually with the Kyiv Post. I didn’t work there for long, only for about a year.
Then I switched to UMC. I started there as a sales advisor at a mobile store, and within six-and-a-half years left as their national sales manager. I was responsible for the development and implementation of their sales strategy, managing all UMC’s distribution networks. I participated in project development for the “Jeans” and “Sim-Sim” brands of mobile services.
Before joining Colliers International International, I worked as the commercial director of First Leasing Company/Hertz, which is considered to be the leading national operator of leasing services at present. I was responsible for all areas of sales, customer service and marketing, including new services development.
My experience in various corporate services has helped me build up relationships with all the main market players, which will help me here at Colliers International. I’ve been working here at Colliers International for only six days and am already surprised at how many people in the market already know me.
KP: What is the reason for the change in top management at Colliers International in Kyiv?
VL: The main reason for this change was a decision made by Sergiy Sergiyenko, to continue his career in a slightly different area. He opted to work in the real estate development business. Under his leadership, the company established itself as the leading adviser on the commercial real estate market.
KP: What do you plan to bring to Colliers International?
VL: As general director, I would like to add a systematic and structural management focus, particularly in the areas concerning the building of long-term relationships with our clients, who are both Ukrainian developers and Western investors.
Many aspects of my career and experience involved working with foreign management; I’m rather versed in Western corporate culture and management. I’m sure my experience will help the company, and me, prosper on the real estate market.
After receiving a diploma in management from the National Technical University of Ukraine, I completed an Executive MBA degree from Lancaster University in the United Kingdom. Studying abroad broadened my outlook. I’m sure that all my previous experience will help me succeed in my new role.
KP: What do you have planned for Colliers International in 2006?
VL: One of the strong consulting services that we offer is mortgage property valuation. Colliers International is one of the top-level appraisers on the market. Leading Ukrainian banks constantly turn to us for valuation services. When granting credits to clients through mortgage operations, they want to be sure the property mortgaged out has been valuated by professionals with an international reputation, so we plan to expand this aspect of our business by hiring more valuation experts. In 2006, we want to add resources to this area of business so that we can offer valuation services in other regions of the country, not just in Kyiv.
KP: What consulting services provided by Colliers International International in Ukraine show the most promise?
VL: Besides our core agency services, we do a lot of investment and development consulting such as highest and best use, concept development, feasibility studies and business planning.
KP: How would you characterize the current situation on the Ukrainian real estate market? How does it differ from similar markets in neighboring countries?
VL: In terms of market saturation, it is essential to mention that the Ukrainian market is experiencing a shortage of supply. The market shows high demand. That is why at present one of the main objectives of Colliers International will be in the area of investment sales. Our goal will be to search for qualitative real estate products that we can offer to Ukrainian and foreign investors. In comparison, the Russian and Polish markets have more available supply. But we have very optimistic views on the Ukrainian real estate market – in Kyiv and in the regions. The Ukrainian real estate market is becoming an issue of high interest. We have business meetings with Ukrainian and foreign investors looking for opportunities in this market almost daily. I think the situation with supply will change gradually during the next few years and this will influence price. The sharp [15-30 percent annual] price surges seen on the residential market will not last forever.
