‘New York taught me discipline

Craig Bridges has recently been appointed associate in the Glasgow office of RLF. Before joining RLF, native Glaswegian Bridges, a specialist commercial property consultant, had been working for 11 years for Currie & Brown. He spent the last five years in the consultant’s New York office.

Was it a culture shock to move to the States?

It was a culture shock when I arrived in the US. I had never visited before. On my first day I was immediately sent to a half-a-billion dollar project for a manufacturing company, which was made of five different units. I had never worked on a project of such a scale. The size of it was amazing. What struck me was the speed at which they did things. They were dealing with several tens of millions in just a month.

How do Americans work on surveying?

My background is in quantity surveying, and it’s not a profession in any way recognised in the States. They are not as specific as we are in the British construction industry. The professions are not as defined as they are here. People use specific skills according to the goal they want to reach.

What have you learned in your five years in the US?

I have grown much more commercially aware – the value of the dollar affects every single project. It has taught me discipline. One of our clients asked us to demonstrate at the end of every month which savings we had made on the project to justify our wages. It was a bit extreme, but it just shows that you’re here to provide a service. It pushes us to wonder whether we are actually delivering value.

Quantity surveying is not a profession recognised in the States. They are not as specific as we are in the British construction industry

Craig Bridges, RLF

If we’re not, then we should.

What part of your experience will you use in your new job?

Now I will try to show the benefits of broadening the services we can offer, not being just a QS. In the States, they are more focused on the specific needs of the clients.

What tips would you give to someone who’d like to work in the US?

I’d advise people to go when they’re young, so they adapt to the culture more quickly. I’d also tell them to take the opportunity to see as much as they can. There are 51 states, which are like 51 countries. It means 51 different taxation, working and procedures systems. I had never been to the States before starting the job, so I’d recommend people go there and do some research beforehand. And finally, don’t lose your accent. A Scottish accent is very desirable to the American people. Sometimes it is enough just to initiate a conversation with clients.