_60 second interview with Michelle Ciesielski, Head of Residential Research, Australia

What do you do?

I provide a platform for our clients to make strategic and well-informed residential investment decisions across Australia, leading the residential research team. Locally, we share our findings via publications, presentations and media on development sites, apartment projects and both the prestige and mainstream residential markets across Australia. We receive strong engagement from clients with our Australian Residential Development Review, Australian Prime Residential Review and Australian Residential Review publications. Working as part of a collaborative global residential research team, allows our cities to feature our flagship annual publication The Wealth Report and recent insight reports such as the Global Waterfront and Global Ultra-Prime Market publications to name a few.

How did your career path lead to you working for Knight Frank?

Having had extensive experience in commercial and residential property research, including valuation and location planning for more than 20 years, the challenge was welcomed to establish a residential research team at Knight Frank five years ago. I thrive on the collaboration of our research team around the world, being part of the largest, privately owned global property consultancy. Since joining, our global team has expanded our reach to dig deep into the world of the wealthy population with our Business Intelligence Units; so far based in the UK, Middle East and China. I simultaneously need to have my finger on the pulse of our project marketing, prestige sales, property management, valuations and site sales teams in order to organically create, develop and maintain our in-house data series across the country, and be reactive for our clients to any change in local market conditions.

What are the biggest opportunities you see in your job?

The digital world has created a fountain of information accessible 24/7. This disruption has certainly challenged the function of research houses within the property industry to deliver a point of difference. The opportunity for property researchers is to then be proactive with bespoke, intelligent insights for our clients; to fill those data gaps where clients lose momentum when taking risks, and be better communicators to allow the flow of storytelling. For these reasons, we received great traction with our insight reports such as the Chinese Developers in Australia and Collective Sales for Residential Development.  

If you had a different job, what would it be?

The evolution in the way we learn new skills at any age fascinates me; from watching a young child learning to read for the first time, to then watch their grandfather google on his iPad how to better grow his tomatoes. I most definitely would be in an education environment. I’m blessed there are many training elements in my role (as I recently collaborated with ANZ for KF employees on how to buy your first home), and thoroughly enjoy the opportunities I receive to guest lecture future property professionals studying at university.

What are your favourite pastimes/hobbies?

An afternoon of beekeeping with my family and the process of extracting raw honey, despite one day being fully suited up and getting stung in the corner of my eyelid! Bees operate incredibly similar to humans from their communication and negotiation skills, to the hierarchical community hub where they work and live alongside their siblings. They’re also an essential element to human survival, and currently feeling the pressures of the drought, so do ensure your garden always has water available for them to drink. 

What is your number one work mantra or advice?

By learning you will teach; by teaching you will learn – Latin Proverb.

Please get in touch

Michelle Ciesielski
Head of Residential Research, Australia
+61 2 9036 6659
michelle.ciesielski@au.knightfrank.com