Property Focus: The Interview – David Murphy

IN our series of interviews with top professionals from across the property sector, TheBusinessDesk catches up with David Murphy, property manager at Liverpool estate agent Andrew Louis.

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

I think we’ve bottomed out.

The fear of the unknown which prevailed a year or so ago has diminished, and some degree of confidence appears to be returning.

Obviously, the limited options available in bank finance remains an issue, but it is likely that the extreme caution the banks have shown has in part been a hedge against further falls in value, so I believe the situation is likely to improve over the next 18 months.

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

In terms of specific legislation, I believe The Rating (Empty Properties) Act 2007 is one of the most misguided we’ve seen. I haven’t come across anybody in the industry with a good word to say about it, and it continues to make an already difficult situation worse.

Clearly, the overall economic situation remains the greatest challenge, but I am hopeful that once election is out of the way (provided it produces the right result!) things will improve.

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

Having worked in Liverpool for upwards of 20 years, I believe the transformation it has undergone in the last five years in particular is astonishing.

I don’t think any of us who live or work in and around the city are naïve enough to believe that the job is done. We need further strengthening of Liverpool’s economic engine, through greater creation of jobs/industry, whilst I would like to see the city centre’s attractiveness as a place to live improved through a broadening of unit types and greater provision of services.

However, the city has improved massively in terms of its built environment and the wider perception of the place, and is seen as an increasingly attractive place to do business.

Liverpool and Manchester combined form a powerful regional presence, and I see greater links between the two developing over the longer term to the mutual benefit of both.

What is your favourite building in the North West and why?

On an aesthetic level, St Georges Hall, Liverpool. On an emotional level Anfield Stadium.

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

Probably greater co-operation between the main centres of Liverpool and Manchester where there is potential to benefit both.

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

I have only ever worked in property. After studying for a degree at Liverpool John Moores University I joined what was then HH&J Robinson’s office in Liverpool city centre, which after various incarnations would become Richard Ellis/CBRE.

What do you most enjoy about your job?

The variety of work involved, the range of personalities I deal with, and the fact it is not purely office based, together with the generally demanding nature of my role, which ensures you stay on your toes, particularly in this market.

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

Fortunately, things have for the most part been problem free. However, whilst I was reasonably cushioned from the last recession due to my position at that time, this current recession has been very tough.

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

I think you could do worse than adapt the old football cliché of taking it one game at a time.

And the worst?

I try not to take bad advice!