Sector expertise with a coaching mindset & know-how
After 16 years as Group Property Director for Royal Mail, Martin Gafsen set up Gafsen, a coaching and mentoring practice for real estate leaders and their teams, in the first half of 2023.
Coaching & mentoring.
As Royal Mail’s Group Property Director, Martin ran a diverse 30 million sq ft portfolio and managed c3,000 people.
A corporate real estate leader
Initially qualifying as a solicitor in 1986 and practicing in banking and corporate teams, Martin moved into corporate finance, advising UK listed property companies on raising equity and debt on the London Stock Exchange.
From 2007 to 2022 Martin was the Group Property Director at Royal Mail.
At Royal Mail, Martin ran a diverse 30 million sq ft national UK portfolio, across c1500 operating sites. This encompassed most areas of real estate from Central London development schemes to the insourcing and management of a major FM business.
Throughout his time at Royal Mail, Martin managed c3,000 people of all levels and experience and across all aspects of the sector. Mentoring executives was always a core part of Martin’s management approach.
In 2013 Martin became a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. He has supplemented his education and people management skills through active participation on numerous committees at Oxford University and work with charities. Over the years, Martin has also engaged fully with the property agency and consulting community with insight into the motivations in these businesses.
Coaching pedigree and credentials
In all areas of management Martin has worked with a coaching mindset, seeking to achieve performance by encouraging independent thinking and interdependent behaviours with a strong emphasis on collaboration.
Martin consistently mentored executives in his team and is delighted that many have gone on to achieve great careers.
His interests and ambitions in coaching and mentoring led him to study at Henley Business School in 2022 and complete the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching. His credentials were enhanced in 2023, when became European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) Accredited Coach/Mentor at Practitioner level.
Timeline of
major milestones
These career milestones and experiences in the real estate sector provide Martin with the knowledge and expertise he now shares with Gafsen clients.
1986
Qualified as a solicitor, practising in banking and corporate teams
1989
Moved into corporate finance, joining Banque Paribas
1993
Led the corporate finance team advising Wigmore Investment Trust through their flotation.
1995
Joined Royal Mail
2007
Appointed Director of Royal Mail property team managing c1500 properties and c3000 people
2007-2008
Created high performance team with executives from Propcos
2009-2013
Led on major restructuring of portfolio of operating facilities
2010
Led on the sale of Rathbone Place, W1 for over £100m
2013
Led on the sale of Paddington facility, W2 for over £100m. Became a fellow of the RICS.
2016-2017
Led strategy & process for purchase of 50% of FM supplier
2015 -2021
Led team in achieving planning permission & sale of land in Farringdon for c£200m incl major civil works to separate & upgrade Central London facility
2012-2022
Led team in achieving planning permissions for master development & plot sales of 14 acres in Nine Elms, Central London
2016-2022
Led team on procurement & construction of superhub facilities
2022
Completed the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School
2023
Awarded certification as an EMCC Accredited Coach/Mentor at Practitioner level by European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC)
2023
Set up Gafsen, the coaching and mentoring practice for real estate leaders and their teams
Contact
Let’s talk
If you’d like to set up a meeting or call with Martin to discuss your challenges and how he can help, please complete the form below: