The monthly member spotlight is an opportunity to learn more about a leader at one of our member companies and showcase the work they are doing. This month we spotlight Charlie Gobert, Vice President, Sales Representative of Avison Young Commercial Real Estate. Learn more about Avison Young Commercial Real Estate in our Member Directory.
Name: Charlie Gobert
Title: Vice President, Sales Representative
Company: Avison Young
Avison Young is the real estate partner businesses trust for intelligent, integrated solutions. As a full-service provider, we can deliver results aligned with our clients’ strategic business objectives, supporting real estate initiatives that add value and build competitive advantages for your organization.
What is your role and what is the favourite part of your job?
My role at Avison Young is to work closely as part of the team in growing our presence locally through relationship building and local market knowledge. My favourite part of what I do is learning about the new and exciting projects coming to the city, and regularly working with business owners in assisting them to realize their goals via fun new office spaces to work from.
If you could have a coffee with any business leader or industry expert who would you choose and why?
If I could have coffee with anyone today it would be Richard Branson. A self-made billionaire businessman and philanthropist who took risks, and had fun doing it. I would chose Richard because I think he has a fascinating story to tell and there would be much to be learned from that experience.
What is the number one business book or blog you would recommend?
LinkedIn is definitely the site I would recommend. It’s an amazing tool at your finger tips that allows you to not only stay in touch with like-minded business people, but generates real time news feeds that your contacts are talking about in the market place.
Looking at your companies future what are you most enthusiastic about?
Our company’s future is exciting because of our past. In the fall of 2008 we merged all our operations to become a single national entity: Avison Young Canada. As a result we became Canada’s largest independently-owned commercial real estate services company. In 2009 we opened out first office outside of Canada and today we are the world’s fastest-growing commercial real estate brokerage in the world through continued national and international expansions. This is something we are very enthusiastic about as well contributing to this success story.
What excites you most about the local tech community?
The most exciting aspect to London’s tech community is its vibrancy and job creation. We see local entrepreneurs excelling with stellar products and services, right up there with the best. By working closely with some of London’s largest and finest in this regard, we are proud to be a part of showcasing London in a new high-tech light. TechAlliance is great example of this sector’s growing presence.
What causes or community activities is your company involved in?
Avison Young holds an annual company-wide Day of Giving. Locally, for the past three years our office has volunteered with the London Food Bank and Youth Opportunities Unlimited. This initiative is of utmost importance within our calendar year and reflects our company culture of putting people ahead of profits.
