From practitioner to mentor

Lukasz Skowronski, CPM^®

IREM instructors are shaping the future of property management worldwide, elevating industry standards and mentoring the next generation of professionals. One of IREM’s newest instructors is Lukasz Skowronski, CPM^®, an industry leader bringing IREM’s vision to an emerging market. As CEO of Global Development LLP, Skowronski has played a pivotal role in developing Kazakhstan’s commercial real estate landscape. In addition to his CPM designation, he holds several prestigious industry credentials: FRICS (Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) and SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors), reflecting his deep expertise in asset management, investment strategy, and global real estate.

IREM International sat down with Skowronski to learn more about his journey to become IREM’s first instructor in Kazakhstan. 

Tell us about your background and career.

I have been involved in the real estate industry for nearly 19 years, starting my career in Poland before expanding into Central Asia through Kazakhstan. Today, I serve as the CEO of Global Development LLP, a part of Verny Capital Group. In this role, I oversee the strategic management of our real estate assets, including business centers Talan Towers, Park View Office Tower, and PRIME Business Park. 

Over the years, I have taken on diverse roles across the real estate sector, from brokerage, sales, and investment to leasing, property and asset management, and corporate real estate. In Kazakhstan, I have had the opportunity to work with Fortune 500 companies, close large-scale deals, and implement sustainable property strategies, ensuring that our developments meet the highest international standards, including LEED and BREEAM certifications. My focus has always been on delivering long-term value, optimizing profitability, and maintaining operational excellence.

Beyond real estate operations, I am actively engaged in mentorship and professional education, collaborating with industry organizations and universities. This led me to become an IREM instructor, leading CPM courses to help property management standards advance in the region. I hold a master’s degree in economics with a specialization in real estate management and investment from the Cracow University of Economics. 

As part of my commitment to the real estate profession, I actively volunteer with RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) in the roles of an Assessor and Counsellor (mentor).

How did you learn about IREM and the CPM program?

My first encounter with IREM courses was in Poland around 2010, but at that time, I was already in the process of moving to Kazakhstan. A few years later, thanks to a partnership between IREM and Commercial Real Estate Week (CREW), a local real estate organization in Kazakhstan, I could finally join the program. This collaboration was officially announced at CREW’s annual conference in 2014, when Leah Misbin, senior director, International Programs at IREM, came to personally sign the licensing agreement. While completing my IREM education in 2016, I realized how global IREM is when I got to meet then-IREM CEO Russ Salzman and former IREM President Chris Mellen, CPM^®, at the MIPIM event in Cannes, France. I completed my CPM in 2017 through a combination of self-paced courses and courses taught by Glenn Pelot, CPM^®. 

What made you decide to become an IREM instructor? 

To be honest, I received an IREM newsletter that advertised IREM instructor training, and my first idea was, “Why not give it a try?” I was already planning to become an instructor, and I’d started to mentor and provide guest lectures across Europe, so it was natural to apply. 

I have always believed in the power of education to transform industries. Becoming an IREM instructor felt like a natural step to give back to the profession that has enriched my career. Sharing my knowledge and nearly two decades of practical experience allows me to mentor the next generation of professionals, particularly in places like Kazakhstan and my home country of Poland, where there is a growing demand for qualified property managers.

What was Instructor Training like?

IREM Instructor Training was an incredibly inspiring and enriching experience. We had a wonderfully diverse group, including colleagues from South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, the U.S., and me from Poland/Kazakhstan. Everyone brought unique perspectives, which emphasized how the principles of property management are universal yet adaptable to local contexts.

What is the CPM experience like in a region without a chapter?

Without a local chapter, pursuing the CPM designation required extra initiative and dedication. However, this challenge also made the experience more rewarding. The program’s resources, global network, and comprehensive approach to property management helped fill gaps in local expertise. I was fortunate to learn from outstanding instructors like Glenn, whose lectures made a significant impact on my professional development.

The flexibility of IREM’s online and hybrid learning formats allowed me to fully engage with the coursework while managing my professional responsibilities. While CREW acts as the local IREM partner supporting property management education, a formal IREM Chapter has yet to be established. I am very happy to see that my good colleagues from my IREM Instructor Training cohort have successfully set up the IREM UAE Chapter, and I would be happy if we could do the same someday in Kazakhstan.

Can you tell us more about the properties you manage? How have you seen growth in your work?

I manage several high-profile properties, including Talan Towers, a mixed-use development with LEED-certified commercial offices, luxury residences, and a Ritz-Carlton hotel. Talan Towers holds the distinction of being the first LEED-Gold certified building in Central Asia, achieving this milestone in 2017. Another flagship property is Park View Office Tower in Almaty, a BREEAM-certified office building. In 2014, it became the first sustainable and green building ever certified in Central Asia, setting a benchmark for environmentally responsible development in the region. Over the years, I’ve seen significant growth, particularly in the adoption of international standards and sustainability practices. This progress is reflected not only in rising property valuations but also in the satisfaction of tenants and stakeholders, who benefit from improved operational efficiency and environmental responsibility.

It’s worth highlighting that while our properties account for approximately 3.5% of the total modern office space in the two major cities of Kazakhstan, we serve around 55% of the Fortune 500 companies in the country. This underscores the strategic positioning and high standards that make our assets the preferred choice for global corporations. Tenants seek international standards and best practices, and we aim to meet those expectations through collaboration and continuous improvement.

Do you have any final thoughts you’d like to share?

While there is a clear need for highly skilled property managers in Kazakhstan, structured, internationally accredited education is still in its early stages in the region. My goal is to bridge this gap by expanding IREM’s presence in Central Asia, mentoring the next generation of property leaders, and ensuring that local property management aligns with the best global practices.

With IREM’s recent expansion into Dubai, I see a future where Central Asia follows suit, bringing world-class property management education to a market ready for its next stage of professionalization.