Boosting DTZ's capabilities a goal for new chief Alva To Yu-hung
Alva To Yu-hung plans to expand the firm's agency businesses to catch up with its rivals
Demand in Hong Kong's property market is no longer purely market-driven, and since the government began rolling out measures to cool the market, it has become increasingly hard to forecast sales and prices.
But property analyst Alva To Yu-hung is using his personal insights gained from years of experience to strengthen the competitive ability of DTZ in the city following his appointment as managing director of the property consultancy's local operations last October.
Having hosted many press conferences to announce DTZ's research findings, To is now one of the best-known analysts in the industry.
He joined DTZ, formerly known as C. Y. Leung & Company, as a director when the firm was founded in 1993. He had previously worked for rival consultancy Jones Lang Wootton for eight years after graduating from The Hong Kong Polytechnic with a higher diploma in building surveying.
"I was in the valuation department when I joined the company. In 2000, I … [took] charge of the research department and started to host our property research press conferences," To told the South China Morning Post in his Central office.
To said Leung Chun-ying [the current chief executive and former DTZ chairman] wanted him to be a spokesman for the firm in promoting its public profile.
"It was difficult and in the beginning I was scared. My first media interview was on a live television programme. But my motto is 'there is nothing we can't do, it depends on whether we are willing to do it or not'. And so I took the job," To said.