My new role is as regional director for Land Securities Trillium, which is in a partnership with the BBC. I will be operating all of the BBC property in London, providing a range of hard and soft services. My old role was as general manager of the Television Centre. That was for one-third of BBC London, so this role is three times the size of that.
What attracted you to the job?
Knowing the BBC was going into partnership, I had three choices — to stay with the BBC [in a different role], to stay as the general manager of the Television Centre, or to go for the new job. I thought it would be interesting and exciting, and I thought I could bring something to the job. In a way it was a natural move.
Where have you worked before?
I have been with the BBC a long time. Actually I have been in facilities management at the BBC for 20 years and have done almost every facilities management job you can imagine. I have been around the block!
How do you think the demands at the BBC differ from those at other premises?
Broadcasting is a peculiar business. It's 24 hours a day — not like dealing with the 9 to 5 office worker. [The BBC] is very much based on news output and maintaining output — that's the essential difference. Some other jobs have more predictable hours. But for us on a Sunday morning for example, the Frost programme can have anyone, such as Tony Blair, (on the premises).
What is the most challenging part of the job?
I think it's the size and complexity. The BBC is a huge organisation, and that in itself is a challenge — knowing who to go to and who to speak to. The London property portfolio is 4m sq ft — the Television Centre is 1m sq ft. Everything is on such a large scale. For security we don't have three or four guards. We have 85 guards. We also need a lot of facilities managers. We probably have 80-85 people in the department.
What is the most enjoyable part?
Working for a national institution. I'm very proud of it and have great loyalty to the BBC.
What does a normal day involve?
There is no normal day. Generally it's a mix of meeting with suppliers, meetings with Land Securities Trillium to discuss the handover, and meetings with operational teams — setting team goals and looking at issues. It's very difficult to predict a day. The BBC is fast moving and the focus is on today's news, so it's often reactive. But you have to strike a balance between daily operation and setting a course for the future.
What's your favourite TV programme?
Of all time? Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Now sport and current affairs.
Source
The Facilities Business
