Property Focus – The Interview: Rupert Barron

IN our series of interviews with top professionals from across the property sector, TheBusinessDesk catches up with Rupert Barron, office agency director at Colliers International in Manchester. 

What are you views on the current state of commercial property and property development market?

The diverse base of commercial activity from retail to manufacturing has helped sustain the local economy but the belt-tightening mood of caution and lack of liquidity is having an effect on occupiers. With no development of new office stock competition is starting to return and reduce incentives and there are signs that rents will harden in 2012 and beyond. I am more optimistic about the property market now than this time last year.

What key challenges and legislation do you think will effect your sector over the coming months?

The challenges for the office market are green legislation increasing build costs and therefore viability. Major budget reductions for central and local governments are having significant impacts on the occupational market with the public sector shrinking.

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

Having relocated from the South East nearly 20 years ago, the North West’s work/life balance is far superior to many locations. You can be in the Lakes, the Peaks or at the seaside in North Wales within two hours or enjoying interesting places or countryside closer to home. The North West provides easy access to a multitude of sports. Manchester is strategically located with strong transport infrastructure enabling swift access to all commercial centres around the country and Europe or the rest of the world from either Manchester or Liverpool airports.

What is you favorite building in the North West and why?

Being an office agent my favorite building is Ship Canal House overlooked by the new Chancery Place buildings, reflecting Manchester’s past and present glory. I can see Ship Canal House every day from my office window.

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

I would improve the transport infrastructure by encouraging freight on to rail and water releasing much needed capacity on the roads. I would look closely at combining a public transport system similar to London Transport. Another aspect is the improvement of public realm to enhance peoples’ mood and their impression of their environment, in particular Manchester city centre.

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

Upon leaving school I became a trainee at a firm of chartered surveyors in Plymouth this was followed by a three-year degree course at Portsmouth Polytechnic. I then secured a graduate job at Edward Erdman in central London, moving upon qualification to Knight Frank, which eight years later relocated me to Manchester. After a few moves along the way I arrived at Colliers International which had acquired Edward Erdman – a case of Back to the Future!

What do you most enjoy about your job?

Meeting people and delivering property solutions to clients – hopefully adding value to their businesses.

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

The only barriers I have faced are those imposed upon businesses during economic recession. This reduces the opportunities to do deals and earn fees – I have however, managed to overcome this by focusing on quality clients and diversification.

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

The best piece of advice I have been given was my father telling me that, “life is no rehearsal, just live it” and more recently, “don’t rely on the so called financial experts and pension funds to deliver a pension large enough for you to retire upon”.

And the worst piece of advice?

To take out an endowment mortgage and accept shares in a property company as part of a merger – the shares are now worth considerably less than they were three years ago!