Property Week's 5 minutes with Maggie Milosavljevic
Maggie Milosavljevic, Commercial Director at LabTech, talks to Property Week about her career, family, and hobbies.
First published in Property Week on 4 August 2022
How did you join the property industry?
I worked on the restaurant side at Harrods for over 15 years, and although that job was amazing, Camden reeled me in. It has a life and soul like no other and is home to so many unique and independent businesses.
What does your job entail now?
My job as commercial director mainly entails the leasing and planning of the Camden markets, as well as leading on the strategic direction. I manage the day-to-day operations, ensuring that things run smoothly and safely, but I also have a large involvement in delivering an experience and unique tenant composition, which is not only vital to the portfolio’s success but LabTech’s wider placemaking strategy.
What do you like most about the property industry?
Meeting new, independent, and creative brands is something that I really love, and it’s great to play a vital part in their growth and success. It’s a very dynamic industry – every day is different, bringing with it various highs and lows, and it keeps it very exciting.
And what do you dislike about it?
Urban development is tricky, and I think there is a lack of understanding sometimes on how this process can be quite slow and complex. There is a lot that goes into it, and there are many factors at play such as government bodies, councils, landlords etc which can slow the process down. However, I don’t shy away from the challenges, and as a very results-driven person, we always find a way to make things work.
What barriers or challenges do you feel you have overcome?
The results that we have achieved over the last few years have been incredible, and I’m very proud to have a strong and focused team around me. We have managed to drastically simplify the leasing process at LabTech and improve the overall tenant and landlord relationships across the board which above all else, is a key priority for us.
What are you most proud of in your career?
Over my career at LabTech, we have renovated and revitalised the North Yard, creating a unique and distinctive tenant mix. We have introduced debut leisure experiences such as Tomb Raider: The LIVE Experience, Peaky Blinders: The Rise and Babylon Park in the space of a year, taking the Camden Market’s leisure scene to new heights. We also opened the UK’s first eco-conscious consumer market in the summer of 2020, as well as launching Camden Market Hawley Wharf, the first new major retail and leisure destination to arrive in London since the start of the pandemic.
What do you value in people?
Integrity and willingness; it’s an important quality not only in terms of personality, but what you contribute to a team.
What advice would you give someone starting a career in the property industry?
Don’t be scared to make mistakes. It’s all a part of learning and growing as a professional, and never be afraid to ask questions. Use people’s experiences to your advantage – there will always be an answer
One film/television series and why you like it:
I enjoy watching crime shows with my children. They not only provide a great sense of adrenaline and mystery, but they also encourage effective problem solving, approaching issues with critical thinking, putting yourself in the perspective of others, and most of the time, the episodes lead to a happy and reasonable ending.
One book and why you like it:
I really enjoy the book series Medical Medium by Anthony William. It’s a fascinating read and is all about self-healing for your own wellbeing and using the spirit of compassion as a method to help all kinds of issues. There is also an associated podcast that I would recommend!
How would you spend a million pounds?
I would try to make sure that there were very few people left hungry. £1 million is not enough to end world hunger and poverty, but it’s certainly a start.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
I would teleport food to those who need it.