Property Focus: The Interview – Lisa Worrall

IN our series of interviews with top professionals from across the property sector, TheBusinessDesk catches up with Lisa Worrall, project manager at the University of Salford-based Centre for Construction Innovation (CCI).

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

Both the property and development markets have rather stagnated for the last couple of years, but one silver lining is that those able to get a mortgage can benefit from lower values. It is still a difficult time, but I firmly believe that the best investment you can ever make remains bricks and mortar.

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

The Equality and Diversity Act (2010) still stands strong despite the speech by Theresa May in mid-November about the non-implementation of Section 1 on socio-economic status. The new law outlines the need for greater transparency in the employment, training and recruitment and career progression of a construction related workforce. This will prove to be a challenge to the construction industry sector, which is traditionally very white male dominated. Another challenge which the sector faces is the future changes to Part L of Building Regulations which will push up the cost of construction projects, cause project delays and add to costing complexities. 

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

The North West is in my view one of the best places to work in an ever-changing economic climate.  It has superb communication and travel networks across the country, diverse and friendly cultures and communities and this is where the Centre for Construction Innovation (CCI) is situated, which annually hosts the North West Regional Construction Awards to reward and recognise the best practices and activities of excellence in the region.
 
What is your favourite building in the North West and why?

There are a number of both aesthetic and personal reasons why I choose the Liverpool Liver Building as my favourite building in the North West. In the 1960s my mother briefly worked there, but also I like the romance, fantasy and history that surrounds the building. At least one of the clocks can always be read from anywhere that you are in Liverpool and one face is even visible from the Wirral, where my grandmother lived. The clock faces are the largest in Britain, and when built in 1911 it was claimed the building was Britain’s first skyscraper.
 
If you could improve anything in the region, what would it be?

I would increase the sustainable developments that focus on the regeneration and re-development of brownfield sites. I believe there is too much development of the green belt. Protection of the remaining wildlife and park areas is important and I hope that current pressure on council finances will not lead to such areas being sold off to the highest bidder.

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

My first job was as a university researcher into issues of equality and diversity; something, which still is close to my heart and occupies much of my activities within the construction sector today.
 
What do you most enjoy about your job?

Learning about the constant complexity and surprising diversity of the world, its workforce and the people. As diversity grows in the construction sector I see it blossoming in ways that impact upon attitudes towards women and ethnic minorities.
 
What barriers have you faced during your career and how have you overcome them?

Being a woman has certainly led to some attitudinal barriers over the years and there is unfortunately some inherent snobbery against researchers as being ‘second class’ to university lecturers. Although unjustified and unfair, it’s still there and inherent in the culture. However, I have overcome these attitudes by surrounding myself with good friends, colleagues and supportive and positive people.
 
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

“In a hundred years will it really matter that much?” This was something I once heard a work friend ask and it really stuck with me. I took this to heart and try my best in all things that I do, but realise that we are only here for a short time, so try to keep the bigger picture in mind.