Damon Kent is a premises and facilities manager for Northern Rock. A chartered surveyor, he has returned to the company where he used to work in a property management role, after a spell working for Grainger Trust.
What attracted you to the position?
The challenge and opportunity to have a dual facilities management and property role. I head up the whole department and manage everything from health and safety, security and building maintenance to estate management. The premises team I head up handles the distribution network of remote sites nationwide — this does not include the HQ, which has its own facilities manager.

There are more than 100 sites stretching from Inverness to Exeter. The portfolio is different now, it is more than just bank branches.

What is a typical day like for you?
No two days are ever the same. Much of the job is reactive, catering for the demands of the business. There is a national spread of properties, many of which are small and complex and this requires a high quality of management.

How does it differ from the job you did for Grainger Trust?
At Grainger Trust I was effectively a landlord, whereas now we are effectively the tenants. Working at Grainger gave me an insight into the needs of occupiers.

Where are you based and who do you work most closely with at Northern Rock?
I liaise closely with the sales operation team, which is responsible for improving the sales levels. Premises have a big role to play in this. I also work closely with the management teams at sites around the country.

What is the most challenging part of the job?
Balancing all the different aspects of the facilities management role and reaching practical and workable solutions. And I am studying as well.

At the moment, I am taking the Direct Examination Route, a course of written exams run by BIFM for managers with a number of years' experience. I decided to do the course to gain a better understanding of the business.

What is the best part of the job?
Variety is the best part. At the moment we have a refurbishment programme underway and a number of relocations of small tenants, both commercial and residential.

As premises and facilities manager across nationwide sites do you travel a lot?
Generally I am away two to three days a week. I have to visit the sites to be able to practically manage them.