JLL announces sponsorship of Keystone Trust to support students in property

September, August 2021 – JLL New Zealand is proud to continue its support of communities with its latest sponsorship commitment, the Keystone Trust.

A Registered Charity, the Keystone Trust was built on the legacy of property developer Graeme Bringans who had the fundamental goal to support and enable students who have financial need or have been affected by adverse circumstances, to take up tertiary studies in the property sector.

JLL New Zealand Managing Director, Todd Lauchlan, says he is looking forward to working closely with Keystone Trust and the wider sponsorship family.

“What the Keystone Trust has done in acknowledging, encouraging, and most importantly promoting young people into the property industry has been nothing short of extraordinary, and it’s an initiative we’re proud to support,” says Lauchlan.

“It’s also something I can personally endorse, as JLL is home to a fantastic Keystone success story. Liam Rooney joined us fresh out of University in 2011 as an Assistant Valuer having benefitted from not only financial support from Keystone but also engagement with industry leaders and mentors. In a short time, Liam has built his property career to the point where he is now a Director with influence over our entire Valuation Advisory business.

“We’re looking forward to being a part of many more Keystone success stories by creating rewarding opportunities where people can achieve their ambitions.”

Keystone Trust General Manager, Amanda Stanes, says having JLL join the sponsor whanau is a demonstration of the support and belief the property sector has for the work of the Trust and the incredible students it supports.

“Keystone Trust has sponsors which cover the whole property/construction spectrum, and we are extremely fortunate to have such an incredibly dedicated sponsor whanau, so we are delighted to welcome property leader, JLL,” says Stanes.

“The Trust provides a collaborative environment for all our sponsors to get to know their counterparts in the industry as people with shared values and a shared vision to support our students and ensure they have the opportunity to realise their dreams. For all of our sponsors, there is an understanding and appreciation that life is not always equal for everyone and that through their financial support and involvement they can help equalise the odds.

“One of our values is authenticity. With 47 students to manage, you can’t be anything other than truly real and present, so we want to work with sponsors who also get that and ensure they’re actually walking the talk as together we create that social license we need to operate in today’s commercial world.”

JLL Valuation Advisory Director and Keystone Alumni, Liam Rooney, says he is proud and humbled that JLL has committed to supporting the Keystone Trust.

“I know first-hand the impact the trust can have on people from underprivileged backgrounds that are motivated to improve their lives through university education. JLL and Keystone share the same principles, putting people first,” says Rooney.

“Keystone has played a significant role in my life through assistance, networks, and learning opportunities while I was at university before I joined JLL. I’m committed to assisting the next generation on its journey into property alongside the Trust, and it’s fantastic to have the support of JLL.”