Change Agent: Alan MacKenzie, JLL Canada

This summer, Connect CRE Canada launched a new leadership series in which we interview Canadian commercial real estate industry leaders about emerging trends, keys to their companies’ success and other factors that enable them to be difference-makers.

This final interview of the series is with Alan MacKenzie, CEO of JLL Canada. MacKenzie has worked in commercial real estate for more than 30 years. He began his career as an intern before launching his own companies, related to capital markets, property management and leasing primarily in the retail real estate sector. From 2016 to 2019, he served as president of fully integrated investment and development firm Triovest.

He joined JLL Canada in his current role in 2019.

Here, MacKenzie explains his approach to leadership and his outlook for the industry’s evolution.

How do you navigate the transition from established practices to pioneering new frontiers within your organization?

As CEO, I define leadership as setting a clear vision for the team and organization. Fortunately, our global company has outlined a five-year success strategy. My role is to effectively communicate this vision to our Canadian team and align our resources, energy, and governance accordingly. We remain committed to our vision of shaping the future of real estate for a better world.

Our most significant recent accomplishment is the organization-wide commitment to what I call our best quest. This initiative focuses on delivering exceptional work for top clients, engaging in premium projects, and achieving optimal outcomes. Due to our client-centric focus, we are recognized as valued partners, collaborating with high-caliber investors and occupiers across Canada.

What are the essential elements for achieving significant progress within your organization and the industry as a whole?

The greatest catalyst for our vision comes from our global board of directors and executive boards. We have adopted key directional hypotheses, including our best quest vision, a deep commitment to decarbonization, and a focus on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in our industry. We aim to set an example in these areas, and our leadership encourages us to create and execute this vision locally.

The industry advancement that impresses me most is the unified global approach towards the decarbonization of commercial real estate. This unity allows us to have the greatest impact on our planet and communities. What’s particularly encouraging is thecollective effort to address environmental concerns, the shift towards long-term thinking, and investing appropriately in decarbonization.

What critical changes do you foresee for the industry in the coming years, and what advancements do you hope for?

Clients are increasingly seeking long-term consultative partnerships from the brokerage community, a shift from the traditional transaction-focused approach in the industry. To meet this demand, we must evolve our mindset from transactors to long-term partner consultants. This structure will better reflect the value we provide to our clients and support our transition to long-term partnerships. This approach will enable us to offer more comprehensive, strategic services that extend beyond individual transactions, ultimately delivering greater benefits to our clients and fostering enduring relationships. I’m proud of JLL’s global progress in this direction.

As we acknowledge the industry’s rising stars, what guidance can you offer them to become catalysts for positive change?‘

Our industry is undergoing a significant transformation and I consistently emphasize this message: We are consultants with a deep purpose.

This outward-looking perspective positions us to address major issues and pain points for our clients. The swifter we embrace this consultative model, the greater our positive impact will be on our clients, communities, and the environment.

My decision to join JLL five years ago was driven by the alignment between my experience and the company’s vision for a better world, improved communities, and client relationships. I believed I could contribute more effectively to these pillars here than anywhere else.

As I approach my fifth anniversary with JLL, I’m both personally and professionally proud of the advancements we’ve made in these areas. We recognize there’s still substantial room for growth and opportunity ahead. Our journey towards becoming strategic consultants who drive meaningful change is ongoing, and we remain committed to this vision.

Click here to see the full Change Agents: Leaders Driving Progress series.