Philip Littlewood gladly picked up the Keystone sponsorship baton on behalf of Stride Property Group, following in the footsteps of founding trustee Paul Duffy and previous Stride CEO Peter Alexander.
“It’s not just about individual companies. Property is a village, and it’s all about relationships. We are a collegial industry. It’s a unique and special thing to give young people this type of opportunity.”
It was a seamless handover that reflected and respected the Keystone ethos, says the chief executive officer of Stride (formerly DNZ). It also ensured that one of Stride’s key focuses: developing young people into future leaders was maintained.
The third-generation sponsorship was partly thanks to Paul’s association with Stride (as founder and previous CEO), as well as his personal association with Graeme Bringans which was instrumental in establishing the trust in 1994. “Since then it’s been based on the philosophy of our organisation and what it’s seeking to achieve,” says Philip.
It’s a symbiotic relationship: one that has proved a great success for the property investment and development industry, as well as a number of Keystone alumni. One shining example is Blake Cooper, a Keystone study awards recipient in 2018. While attending a Keystone networking event when still a student, Blake was introduced to long-term Stride fund manager Andrew Hay, who offered him an internship with the organisation. After completing his studies and graduating from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Property degree, Blake secured a full-time role as a commercial and industrial assistant property manager with Stride.
Says Philip: “Not only was Blake a great colleague, he also showed a lot of leadership – both within our organisation and Keystone. He was a great cultural touchstone.”
Blake, he adds: “benefited in the beginning from Keystone, and then that benefit was continued for us.”
As Blake noted “the connection between Keystone Trust and Stride is very beneficial for all students in the trust. It provides a great opportunity to learn about the property industry in a positive and supportive environment.” The opportunity not only helped him at university but also with his long-term career goals, he added.
It is in Stride’s best interests to build the next generation of leaders such as Blake, and the organisation is delighted to play a part in that, adds Philip.
The circle of connection extends further. Stride Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Whooley knew Graeme Bringans personally as he was her boss (CEO) when she worked at Fletcher Challenge. After Graeme’s untimely death, Jennifer remembers Keystone from its “very small beginnings”. She took on a role as in-house volunteer for Keystone (then the Graeme Bringans Property Education Trust) and oversaw the accounting and financial work for the Trust. In that role, she was privy to the students’ applications – which could be challenging – and then watched them blossom into future leaders. “Knowing their backgrounds and seeing these students embrace their opportunities is quite heartening. The trustees are amazing in providing that mentorship,” Jennifer says.
Thirty years on, Stride continues to be committed to paying it forward, says Philip. “It’s not just about individual companies. Property is a village, and it’s all about relationships. We are a collegial industry.” Keystone fits within that perfectly. “It’s a unique and special thing to give young people this type of opportunity.”
