The three day event comprised of a thought provoking Business Forum, multiple discussion and networking opportunities and a series of ski and snowboarding races.

Francis Salway, the former Chief Executive of Land Securities, and Andrew Jones, Chief Executive of LondonMetric, were keynote speakers at the 2016 event.

Francis observed that investors and developers need to understand the property investment cycle and should be bold enough to take profits when the time is right.  He also spoke compellingly about the benefits that the introduction of REITS and shorter leases has had on the sector in recent years.

Andrew outlined the challenges facing retailers as a result of the growth of omni-channel shopping, concluding that the structural changes occurring in the retail sector will lead to considerable investment in industrial space.

Francis and Andrew were joined by Lambert Smith Hampton CEO Ezra Nahome, Owen Michaelson, Chief Executive of Harworth Estates, and Helical Bar’s Duncan Walker for a Q&A panel discussion chaired by Paul Norman, Editor of CoStar News.

Ezra Nahome commented: "Francis and Andrew's insight was greatly appreciated by all attendees and their presentations led to a lively debate. The calibre of the panel discussion also stood out for me, with questions covering a wide range of pressing issues such as the decline of town centres to the challenges posed by the Brexit referendum.

"A recurring theme was that 2016 looks set to be an fascinating year for our industry: whilst there are still plenty of opportunities to make returns from commercial property, it is becoming clearer that we’re going to have to work harder to create those returns."

Ezra concluded: "A number of the delegates told me that they’re anticipating the market returning to a more normalised state after several years of exceptional performance. Having a close understanding of market and specifically the dynamics of each locality, will be more important than ever".

Once the business was concluded it was time for some healthy sporting competition. The ski conditions were perfect and the record attendance enjoyed an afternoon of great skiing the Giant Slalom and Dual Parallel Slalom races were hotly contested. Former British Olympic skier turned broadcaster Chemmy Alcott was on hand to provide commentary and offer race advice.

Chemmy's enthusiasm and energy resulted in a record number of people signing up for the racing this year. The entertaining commentary provided by Chemmy and Sean Brew, head of Lambert Smith Hampton's London office ensured that memories of the event will stay with all guests for a long time.

LSH will return to Courmayeur to celebrate the 30th Business Forum and Ski Challenge in January 2017.

Race results

Over 100 people took part in the skiing and snowboard races, including a dual parallel slalom. The winners of each race were as follows:

LSH Cup
Fastest team
Winner: Hamptons 1
Joshua Ayres, James Wardle and Robert Walsby
Time: 3:05.99

CoStar Cup - Female
Fastest female
Winner: Sophie Wellesley-Wood, Hamptons International
Time: 1:03.14

CoStar Cup - Male
Fastest male
Winner: Campbell Beaton, Campbell Beaton Associates
Time: 0:49.67

LSH Mixed Gender Cup
Fastest mixed gender team
Winner: Hamptons 2
Sophie Wellesley-Wood, James Calder and Alastair Mullens
Time: 3:18.84

Commercial Property Masters Cup sponsored by dwf
Fastest team whose members are 45 or older
Winner: LSH Client Cocktail
Craig Maguire, Mike Thatcher and Simon Marriott
Time: 5:28.95

Newcomer's Award
Fastest team which has not competed before
Winner: Allen & Overy
Selina Sinclair, Leo Wilson and Emma Willoughby
Time: 4:17.61

Andy Tudor Memorial Cup
Fastest snowboarder
Winner: Mitchel Flaherty, Lambert Smith Hampton
Time: 1:42.90

Parallel Slalom Race sponsored by Together
Teams race against each other in a dual slalom knock-out style event
Winner: Knight Frank 2

Open Competition
Fastest team not from the same company
Winner: Hamptons 1
Joshua Ayres, James Wardle and Robert Walsby
Time: 3:05.99

Most Stylish Descent
Judged by Chemmy Alcott
Winner: Giles Walker, JLL

Our sponsors
The event was supported by CoStar, with sponsorship from dwf, Together and Charles Russell Speechlys.