Specializing in global commercial real estate and asset management, with a focus on due diligence, stakeholder engagement, and building high-performing teams through strategic guidance and professional development.

Catalai Consultants Ltd

Expert Insight. Trusted Results.

Catherine Lai is a Chartered Surveyor (MRICS) with 35 years of global experience in commercial real estate and asset management. She has worked across the UK, Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the USA, specializing in property and asset management, stakeholder engagement, financial management, real estate due diligence, project leadership, and risk management, with a focus on retail, office, and development sectors.

Catherine began her career in the UK and Europe, where she played a key role in rationalizing a newly acquired retail portfolio across multiple cities, managing asset strategies, leasing, acquisitions, disposals, and overseeing comprehensive due diligence processes to support investment decisions.

In Southeast Asia, she led site selection, feasibility studies, and provided development oversight for a 5 million sq. ft. mixed-use project, working with a diverse, multicultural team and coordinating complex stakeholder relationships. She also spearheaded the repositioning and relaunch of a 446,700 sq. ft. shopping centre, overseeing refinancing, a full refurbishment, and an intensive leasing and marketing campaign. Additionally, she provided strategic consultancy for a 215,000 sq. ft. neighborhood shopping center, advising on refurbishment, tenant mix, lease structuring, and long-term planning.

In Australia, Catherine managed high-rise office assets as a General Manager (CBRE) before taking on the role of National Director of Asset Management Services at JLL Pty Ltd, where she was responsible for driving operational excellence, portfolio performance, and leadership development across national teams.

As a consultant, Catherine provided support to Australia’s (then) largest Landlord – AMP Capital – by managing their Australian high-rise office and associated retail portfolio, including staff performance and team restructuring during a period of organizational change.

With a proven ability to lead teams, enhance asset value, and implement forward-thinking strategies, Catherine brings deep expertise in real estate due diligence, stakeholder management, and leadership development—delivering a results-driven approach to commercial property management.

Catherine speaks English, French, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Thai, which she has regularly utilized throughout her international career to navigate cross-cultural environments and build trusted relationships across markets.

Catherine combines her commitment to the highest standards of professional service and ethics with excellent customer services, and a warm, engaging personal style.