Co-branding of two established companies: Sara Grech and Engel & Völkers enter cooperation
• International network in 37 countries on five continents
• Brokerage of residential and commercial real estate as well as yachts in the
premium segment
• Around 120 new property consultants sought
Malta, 2 February 2013. As the leading broker of property in the residential and com-mercial sectors, Sara
Grech is specialised in dealing with the wishes of a discerning inter-national clientele. With immediate effect, Sara Grech is therefore cooperating in a Co-Branding enterprise with Engel & Völkers, a globally established company specialised in the brokerage of property and yachts at the premium end of the market. Engel & Völkers is operational in a total of 35 countries on five continents and is building on its global positioning with this partner-ship.
“It is a pleasure for me to be able to offer the benefits of Engel & Völkers’ network and services on Malta. The international demand for prestigious property and professional con-sultancy is very high here. The cooperation gives us the opportunity to offer our clients the finest real estate in 35 countries and, in return, to access a network of prospective buyers from around the globe,” said Sara Grech, Licence Partner and Managing Director of Engel & Völkers Sara Grech. She is particularly well-acquainted with the property market on Malta: Her father opened the very first real estate office on Malta back in 1964. She herself has more than 25 years’ experience working in the property industry, and the company Sara Grech is recognised as the market leader in the island state. The service offer provided by Engel & Völkers Sara Grech encompasses the brokerage of residential property and commercial real estate, and is focused on the prestigious premium market segment. The presence of Engel & Völkers Sara Grech comprises offices in prime strategic locations throughout Malta. The offices are located in Msida as well as in Sliema, Fgura, St. Paul’s Bay and Attard. “Our existing offices have undergone extensive renova-tion and extension as part of the Co-Branding initiative. They take the needs of our clients and staff into consideration in a very efficient way, offering them an exclusive ambience, privacy and discretion,” Sara Grech stressed. The local network of 45 property consultants at present will, according to plans, be extended to 120 employees in the medium term. Sara Grech and her fiancé Raymond Bugeja are also opening an Engel & Völkers Yachting Shop in Portomaso. Sara Grech
Ms Grech’s father, Alexander Grech, set up the first ever real-estate agency in Malta in 1962. In 1987, Ms Grech, after completing her studies overseas, set up her own real-estate agency, Sara Grech Ltd. The company has three strategically located outlets in Malta and has 40 people between employees and property negotiators. The company operates in the sale and letting of residential and commercial properties. Sara Grech Ltd obtained ISO 9001 certification in 2010. A destination management company La Krosse was formed in 2010. A premiere profes-sional services company possessing extensive local knowledge, expertise and resources specialising in the design and implementation of events and programme logistics. Ms Grech attended college at Mount Carmel Academy in New Orleans, has a diploma in hospitality management from the University of San Francisco and has an MBA in general and strategic management from the Maastricht School of Management. She obtained ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 in internal auditing in 2010. Ms Grech is the Honorary Consul General for the Philippines in Malta. She is on the Board of the Malta Federation of Estate Agents, a member of the Malta Chamber of Commerce and a Board member of the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation. Going forward
Ms Grech decided to bring together their experiences, skills and resources in establishing family businesses in real estate, catering and retail. They plan to do this both in Malta where they mostly reside, and possibly in London, where they plan to have a second home. Their shared passion is to offer high-quality brands and products in family- and lifestyle-related customer segments. She has signed up for Malta & Gozo and are currently implementing two international, leading franchises, one in real-estate brokerage and the other in yachting brokerage, and are in negotiations with other leading international franchises in catering and retail. A mild Mediterranean climate all year round, a stable political and economic situation and very convenient accessibility are leading to a continuous rise in international demand for premium property on Malta. National debt crises and anxiety about monetary stability are resulting in additional impulses on the Malta property market at present – the investment in “concrete gold” is regarded amongst domestic and foreign buyers alike as a safe haven for their wealth. “Malta is an important market for Engel & Völkers in strategic terms and I am confident that we have entered into an ideal partnership with Sara Grech. her experience and cross-industry expertise are of considerable advantage for this joint venture,” said Sven Odia, Member of the Board of Engel & Völkers AG.
