Jane Bech 10 years of growth and values in Denmark’s largest real estate agency
Since 1 August 2015, Jane Bech has been an active part of EDC Poul Erik Bech at the head office on Bremerholm in Copenhagen, where she works with great dedication to strengthen the company, particularly internally. In 2015, Poul Erik Bech and Jane Bech initiated a well-planned, gradual generational transition, during which she joined the company and the Poul Erik Bech Foundation was established.
Jane Bech says: “Following the generational change in 2015, the non-profit Poul Erik Bech Foundation owns 60% of the company, 30% of the shares were transferred to me, and Poul Erik Bech owns the remaining 10%. Since 2015, the foundation has received DKK 85 million for distribution, primarily to support associations that help vulnerable children. For example, over the past six years, the foundation has donated DKK 1 million annually to BROEN Danmark and DKK 6 million over five years to Dansk Folkehjælp’s project Skolestartshjælp.”
Significant growth over the past decade
Over the past 10 years, EDC Poul Erik Bech has grown from a turnover of just under DKK 350 million to more than DKK 600 million in 2024, and from more than 350 employees to over 600 employees. In 2015, there were just under 50 partners, compared to more than 140 partners today. Commenting on the company’s development over the past decade, Jane Bech says:
“A lot has happened over the last 10 years. It’s actually quite remarkable to sit here a decade later and look at the numbers, but it’s been a steady year-on-year development. There’s no doubt that our strong partner structure is a key part of our success. It creates a high level of commitment and gives us resilience. There are a fantastic spirit and culture in the company. We are driven by strong values and a constant desire to evolve so we can deliver better and better solutions for our clients. It’s truly wonderful to be part of and contribute to that journey.”
”Another area where we have made significant progress is within our many specialist fields – not least here at our head office in Copenhagen. We have established departments for Research, Sales Support, Customer Service, Corporate Clients and Capital Markets, as well as an International Department, where for several years we have worked closely with one of the world’s largest real estate companies, JLL.”
“At the same time, we have strengthened our organisation with specialists in Marketing, Press, HR, Legal and Finance. We have strong project departments, opened an Agricultural Division, which has just become nationwide, and we have, for example, established a successful hotel and camping division. All in all, we have come a long way and are now in a very strong position.”
Employees and clients come first
With more than 600 employees, there is constant movement within the company, people achieving great success, passing exams, or taking on new career challenges. And with a large organisation, there are also those who face illness, family challenges, parental leave, or wish to pursue new directions. This is something that Jane Bech cares deeply about:
“My most important task is to ensure that our employees and partners thrive, and when someone faces personal challenges, to make sure that we as a company provide the best possible support. Ultimately, this also leads to motivated and happy employees. That in turn allows us to give our clients the best possible service, many of whom we have worked with for years and built strong relationships with. The property industry is still very much driven by relationships, so continuity and close collaboration with our clients are essential.”
“We run the company with a steady hand and do not panic in challenging times. We put great emphasis on retaining our talented employees and being an attractive place to work. I believe, with all due modesty, that we do this very well, and many of our employees have been with us for years. Every year we hold several company celebrations where we honour our many long serving colleagues. When I started ten years ago, HR, along with Marketing, was actually one of the areas that surprised me the most. It plays a huge role in our everyday life, much more than in many other industries.”
Future proofing the company
“People often ask me what it is like to be part of a gradual generational transition and to work so closely with my father. I have to say it is a privilege. Although I have followed the industry from the sidelines all my life, the learning curve was steep at the beginning. My father has been an inspiring and supportive mentor throughout.”
Unlike the classic owner manager you read about in textbooks, he is very committed to the generational change and is inclusive by nature. Things have progressed step by step, and I believe we make better decisions together because we are good at using each other as a sounding board.”
“I believe I have brought my own approach to business management and have challenged the status quo in several areas. Many of the changes have come naturally as part of our growth and professional development. This has happened in line with our significant expansion and the hiring of specialists in more and more areas. My work covers a wide range of responsibilities, from development within the residential and commercial segments to a particular focus internally on ensuring that we are an attractive workplace with skilled, engaged employees and a strong group of partners. Much of my time is therefore spent maintaining our internal partner network, including being responsible for partner admissions and the development of partner concepts. It is a significant task when we have more than 140 partners in our company.”
“The fact that my father and I have had the opportunity to work together on the management of the company for so many years has strengthened the business for the day he decides to retire. Time does a lot of good for relationships, both internally and externally. I should probably clarify, as my father has said many times – and repeated recently – that he will continue until the very end. So, even though he will step down as chairman of the board of the EDC Group in a year’s time, where I have recently joined as a board member, he will continue working for our own company, EDC Poul Erik Bech, for as long as he possibly can. He still works every day of the week, although over the years he has become a little better at taking holidays without working too much,” she says with a smile.
Jane Bech concludes: “The past ten years have flown by. We are Denmark’s largest real estate agency with a strong and diversified business foundation. In 2024, we also became the country’s highest revenue commercial property agency, a position we have held for many years on the residential side as well. We sell every fifteenth home in Denmark, and we are behind every fourth commercial property listed on Ejendomstorvet. In other words, we are in an excellent position for continued growth. It will be exciting to see where we stand as a company ten years from now, but there is no doubt that we will continue to play an active role in the ongoing consolidation of the real estate industry, something I very much look forward to being part of.”
