"That's why I would rather work with people than with slides."

At the start of my career, I looked after residential properties and their tenants. But I soon realised that I wanted more variety, more creative freedom, not to manage properties, but to create something that lasts. This wish became a reality when I joined Deka Immobilien at the end of 2023.

Today, as an asset manager in the French team, I look after ten exciting buildings in Paris and the surrounding area. What makes my job so special? The balance between analysis and practical application – identifying market trends, making sound investment decisions, as well as entering into negotiations with tenants, authorities, or project partners. I am driven by the challenge of enhancing properties in a targeted way – be it through ESG-compliant measures, digital optimisations, or smart usage concepts. The French market is highly dynamic, and there are numerous opportunities to manage property portfolios intelligently. No two days are the same, and that's exactly what motivates me.

Alice Raso, Asset Manager, has been working in the Paris regional office of Deka Immobilien since 2023.

WHY ASSET MANAGEMENT FASCINATES ME.

I manage many of these properties over a very long period of time – and each one grows close to my heart. Helping to shape their development makes me proud. Especially when actual living spaces are created. One example is a long-standing building in Paris, which has been transformed into a light-flooded co-working space thanks to an extensive redesign. The collaboration with the architects and future tenants was utterly fascinating. When I was there for the opening and saw the concept come to life, that was a real goosebump moment.

Or take the example of "My Little Nation", a new building occupied by a recycling company, where the entire interior was made from recycled materials. Projects like these constantly show me that properties are not just buildings made of stone and glass. They are living places where people work, ideas grow, and the future is created.

PROXIMITY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE.

Right from my first meeting, I sensed that it's a perfect it! The blend of professionalism and personal interaction convinced me straight away. Our French team is like a family while also being part of a strong international network. We work closely with many colleagues in Germany – for example in project management, property management, or fund management as well as acquisitions and sales. What I particularly appreciate is that at Deka, we help each other. Always.

Because we are on the ground, we not only know the market, but also the people and their needs. Through regular visits to our properties, I get a feel for the atmosphere – and see what plans don't show. Proximity is also crucial when working with our tenants. A conversation over coffee often reveals more than any email. In France, personal relationships like this are part of the culture – they create trust, promote dialogue, and make our projects more successful.

WHY DEKA IMMOBILIEN?

What I particularly appreciate about Deka Immobilien is that I can go my own way and develop as an expert in a professionally sound and individual way with an international outlook. This includes work-shadowing in other areas or countries as well as my regular German lessons. Sharing ideas with colleagues is another key element of my ongoing development.

In our regular international meetings, it always strikes me how similar our challenges are – whether in Paris, Frankfurt, or Warsaw. We learn from each other, share ideas, and grow as a team. For me, this openness and personal dialogue across national borders is what makes Deka truly special.