The firm’s partnership and communities director has a Classics degree and trained as a lawyer before deciding his future lay in property development
Why did you choose construction as a career?
I wanted to work on something that benefits a diverse range of people while also improving the environment and having social impact. I conducted a lot of research about working in renewable energy on wind farms, then quickly realised that my background studying Latin and Greek was not so helpful for that.
So I retrained in law with a view to working on infrastructure projects. I gradually shifted to housing and to London during the course of a legal career which eventually led me to my current role at Mount Anvil.
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
I am proud of being willing to start again with my career multiple times. I retrained as a lawyer after taking a masters degree in Classics, then in property investment after my legal career. I am now retraining in communities and partnerships work as the second chapter of my Mount Anvil career.
I am a bit of a “learn it all”, like the 200-plus other people in Mount Anvil’s culture.
What has been the biggest challenge of your career to date
Taking myself less seriously. Getting better at that has helped me to connect more closely with people and enjoy my work more.
If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?
More long-term thinking, with higher value placed on non-financial benefits of responsible sustainable development including social value, resident sentiment and environmental performance.
What is the most helpful advice that you have been given?
Listening and agreeing are two different things. Working collaboratively is as much about challenging opinions as it is about agreeing to things.
Name your favourite building in the world?
St Paul’s Cathedral. I have never worked more than 15 minutes’ walk away. It’s all about central London for me (and Mount Anvil).
Which famous building do you most dislike?
The Tower of Pisa before it was straightened, I love straight lines…
Which famous building do you wish you had worked on?
The Shard. I worked for the funders on two financing and refinancing deals once the building had been designed, but I missed out on the original planning work.
What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out in your profession?
Get a mentor and keep changing them every couple of years. You can learn so much from other people’s careers, including the mistakes you don’t need to repeat. With the support of the mayor of London, we created Makers & Mentors, which includes a mentoring programme supporting equality of opportunity for those wanting a way in and around the development and construction industry.
We have now got 100-plus mentors signed up to the platform, from CEOs of developers and RPs right across the spectrum of functions within our sector.
Who do you most admire in the construction industry
Jennie Daley, CEO of Taylor Wimpey. She is an inspiration to all town planners, to women in property, and to people who love to see down-to-earth personalities getting to the top.
What is it like being you (and doing your job)?
Fast-paced, emotional, silly.
Do you have a life philosophy?
Celebrate while you are winning.
What do you think your best quality is?
My optimism – almost anything is possible.
What trait do you most dislike in yourself? And in other people?
My righteousness. I am wired to want to be right. I go nuts when people break agreements and don’t do what they said they would do. Integrity matters hugely to me.
Name three things that you like
Plants, especially those in the Mediterranean Garden at Kew; family, including my Mount Anvil family as well as my wife Annaliese, daughter Isobel and son Leander; laughter, particularly when joking about with residents and their children living on one of our housing estates.
Tell us about a secret skill that we don’t know you have
I am like the Pied Piper with my children’s friends. I will go to any lengths to embarrass myself and my children in the name of entertaining other children.
What is your most prized possession?
A “lucky” stone I found in a box when I was 10 years old, and which I credit for all my exam results.
Early bird or night owl?
Does 5am count as early?
What is your favourite food?
Marmite. I love it.
What would your superpower be?
Seeing different ways to make things bigger and better.
Mount Anvil is a London-based property developer established in 1991. Recent projects include the redevelopment of Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, The Landau in Fulham, and the 36-storey Lexicon Tower in Islington.
No comments yet