Transnet Retirement Funds Property Trust has awarded its Gauteng commercial property portfolio contract to Finlay and Associates from April 2003. The mixed portfolio consists of 13 office blocks and parks, many of which are A-grade properties, predominately situated in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg.

"Our focus will be to support the asset management strategy implemented by Transnet Pension Fund - the Property Asset Managers to the Transnet Retirement Funds Property Trust - through our marketing strategy and the brokering fraternity, to increase occupancy levels," states Lynette Finlay, managing director of Finlay and Associates.

"One of our company's highest priorities is tenant retention, as 20 years of experience has shown that it can cost clients up to a year's rental to re-let premises. Not only will we provide in-depth management, personalised service and result-orientated systems and controls, but also expect to streamline expenses and increase the overall performance of the portfolio.

"The company's current institutional portfolio management has seen a 20% bottom-line growth achieved through management expertise, expert control on maintenance expenditure without compromising service and the adding of value for tenants, through energy, waste and water savings.

"The project team, led by Julie Hilary, operations director, includes Roberta Naidoo, Thembeka Scott, Nadine dos Santos and Nicole McLachlan. We are delighted that our predominantly women-led company has been appointed to make further strides in this male-dominated industry," concludes Finlay.

Finlay and Associates, founded in 1983, is a property management, development and consulting company specialising in institutional portfolios. The company identifies areas where savings can be effected without compromising asset values.