New Think Tank: ZUI advancing leadership in the real estate sector

Frankfurt School Real Estate Institute is the academic partner.

With the Centre for Corporate Leadership in Real Estate (ZUI), a new think tank is being established that is dedicated to sustainably strengthening leadership, research, and practice in the real estate sector.
As a non-profit association, ZUI brings together entrepreneurs, executives, and academics to jointly develop forward-looking answers to key questions of governance, strategy, digitalisation, and sustainability.
The Real Estate Institute at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management acts as the centre’s academic partner and supports its research activities with scientific excellence and an interdisciplinary approach.

Research meets practice

The ZUI offers the real estate industry:

• Research projects & studies – scientifically grounded analyses and practical recommendations for action
• Dialogue formats & conferences – exchange between business and academia
• Insights & publications – white papers, guidelines, and thought pieces
• Executive education & skills development – seminars, workshops, and leadership programmes
• Network & partnerships – access to an interdisciplinary network of experts

“The real estate industry is under significant transformation pressure – from geopolitical and economic challenges to digitalisation, regulation, and climate targets. That’s exactly why we now need a new quality of leadership. The ZUI will be a catalyst for this,” says Dr Hans Volkert Volckens, Founder and Chair of the ZUI Board.

“The ZUI is built on a strong academic foundation. Through research, teaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration, we’re creating the basis to make leadership in the real estate industry not only a theoretical concept but something tangible and effective in practice,”
adds Professorin Dr. Kerstin Hennig, Head of the Frankfurt School Real Estate Institute, as well as Co-Founder and Board Member of ZUI.

A distinguished advisory board comprising leading figures from the real estate and financial sectors supports the centre in an advisory capacity and represents its mission across business and society.
The ZUI invites entrepreneurs, executives, and academics to become actively involved as members or partners — whether as supporting members, through participation in research projects, or by contributing to dialogue formats. Together, they aim to foster a culture of responsible, innovative, and future-ready leadership.