Property Focus: The Interview – Jon Pochin

In the first of our new series of interviews with top professionals from across the property sector, TheBusinessDesk catches up with Jonathan Pochin, managing director of Pochin Construction.

What are your views of the current state of the commercial property and property development markets?

The commercial property and property development markets continue to be a difficult place to operate.  Whilst the press reports that residential mortgage lending has improved for three consecutive months, the availability of funding within the commercial sector remains limited.

This combined with a continued uncertainty around property values has dampened the appetite for many developers to proceed with schemes, despite some strong occupier requirements.

What key challenges and pieces of legislation do you think will most affect your sector over the coming months?

The challenge over the coming months will be the view that funders take on new schemes – whilst there are reports that we have reached the bottom of the decline, a period of stability is required to rebuild confidence. 

My concern is that any further reports of losses within the banking sector will unsettle lenders and prolong the current problems.

Why do you think the North West is a good place to do business?

It’s got to be the people – the North West is home to a whole host of fantastic people from the property and construction sectors including developers, clients, contractors, architects, engineers, specialist subcontractors and lawyers.

Manchester and Liverpool are great places for networking.

What is your favorite building/development in the North West and why? 

My current favourite is Exchange Flags in Liverpool – I may be a little biased as this building is jointly owned by Pochins with UK Land and Property.

However, this aside, it remains an imposing structure that now provides some of the best office accommodation in Liverpool and the North West. Its refurbishment has dramatically enhanced this part of the city centre and created a vibrant working environment.

If you could improve anything in the region, what would it be?

The weather!  Running a construction business means I despair when it rains for any length of time.  Apart from that, the North West is a fantastic place to live and work.

What was your first job and how did you enter your current line of work?

Having graduated as a Civil Engineer, I started work for Tarmac Construction as a site engineer for its Major Projects division, working on the Tees Barrage project in Stockton-on-Tees. 

I worked for Tarmac for a number of years and was involved in a number of fantastic schemes including the Jubilee Line Extension project in London. The nomadic lifestyle of the civil engineer suddenly became less attractive when I decided to get married and I applied for a role at Pochins in 1996.

What do you most enjoy about your job?

I really enjoy the variety – every day is different, new people, new projects and new challenges.  But overall, I would say it’s the people that makes everyday enjoyable. 

We employ some fantastic people at Pochins and work for some fabulous clients – we work hard but we also have a lot of fun along the way.

What barriers have you faced during your career and how have you overcome them?

Looking back, two things jump out.  Firstly my age – I was always ambitious to do well and had worked in the industry doing holiday jobs since the age of 16. I was often faced with barriers around progression because I wasn’t old enough. I had to combat this by showing my managers that I was experienced enough and able to take on additional responsibility despite my youth. 

Secondly, my name; sometimes people assume I only have the position I do because of my name. Pochin’s is a Plc and nepotism has no place within the organisation. I have had to earn the right to become managing director through hard work and gaining the respect of the rest of the team.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Working as an engineers assistant on a Pochin site at the age of 16 I was rude to a concrete delivery driver. The driver took me to one side and explained that he didn’t care who I was but it was nice to be nice to people and that if I wasn’t nice then I wouldn’t get any more concrete! That chat has stuck with me and I believe one of my strengths is the focus I have on people.

And the worst?

Being told to hire a concrete pump from a company other than Pochin Concrete Pumping by a works manager at Tarmac because ‘they are all just big machines and you should always go for the cheapest’ – it broke down!