People Property Place #134 Gawain Smart - CEO of International Campus Group
Jul 17, 2025
Gawain Smart, CEO of International Campus Group and a legal expert with a background in Canada and Wall Street, shares insights from transitioning to real estate leadership. He discusses the intricacies of scaling a private equity-backed business and emphasizes the importance of building strong teams. Gawain explores the evolving European student accommodation market, the role of AI in reshaping decision-making, and the shifting capital flows into Europe. His journey highlights balancing people management with profits and the importance of adaptability in leadership.
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Impact of People in Right Roles
- Gawain Smart emphasizes the critical impact of having the right or wrong people in the right roles.
- A single bad performer can negatively influence the entire team, likened to a rotten apple spreading in a barrel.
Legal Career Beginnings
- Gawain started his career as a lawyer in Canada, moving to New York and California.
- His first roles were highly focused on M&A and capital markets before transitioning into real estate.
Organize and Advocate Effectively
- Organize ideas clearly when advocating in business settings.
- Start by defining the problem or strategic goal before presenting details for better clarity.