Jason Cruz enjoys enormous success in the property business after moving from Gibraltar
Changing rocks, from The Rock of Gibraltar to the 'barren rock of Hong Kong' as once famously - and misguidedly - described by British foreign minister Lord Palmerston in the 1840's, proved to be a positive career move for Jason Cruz, director of commercial department - transaction services at property specialist Cushman & Wakefield.
As director, Mr Cruz and his team are responsible for advising clients on issues relating to commercial office premises in Hong Kong and around the region. The scope of his work includes working closely with clients to negotiate lease agreements, conducting location and financial analysis, evaluating legal issues arising from lease documentation, carrying out due diligence on properties and landlords, and advising on restructuring rent renewals.
'My job is a strategic consultancy role looking after the interests of the end users or tenants. I look after the interests of the buyer but never the vendor to avoid any conflict of interest.
'My job can be simply summed up by saying my primary responsibility is to save clients costs and avoid any pitfalls associated with leasing agreements,' said Mr Cruz, whose long list of clients include Fortune 500 companies and leading multinational firms.
The job also involves attending client strategy meetings and social events when overseas clients are visiting Hong Kong. Sometimes the relationship building can take two or three years of advisory processes.
'This can be a turtle and the hare business on occasions,' said Mr Cruz, who in his spare time is more of a hare, enjoying hiking and scuba diving in Hong Kong.