The potential of the property derivatives market has been talked about for more than a decade, but this could be the year when it finally takes off.

Many analysts believe 2005 was a turning point, with UK property derivatives turnover likely to have topped £1bn (€1.5bn), more than has been traded in the history of the business. With an underlying UK commercial property market worth €600bn ($706bn) and the European market valued at about €2.1 trillion, the potential is huge.