Property Focus: The Interview – Ian Ward

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

Property development has been quiet over the last two years due to the market changes we have all suffered from, momentum has started to gather pace and you can see this coming through. We all now need to play our part to ensure we deliver growth in what still is a difficult market place.   

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

The VAT increase is a concern to all in retail at the moment.  In most cases, retailers will be doing all they can not to pass this on to customers but this is easier said than done in a climate where price rises seem inevitable on everything from a loaf of bread to the petrol you put in your car.

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

As the geographical centre of the U,K the North West plays a big part in helping to deliver economic growth.

Liverpool, Manchester and the surrounding areas are fundamental to all that is good in our country and is a base for many businesses that see the North West as a main hub to the rest of the UK. 

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

The Liver Building in Liverpool – there’s no doubt it is one of the most iconic buildings in the city and I love how it manages to incorporate the past with the present.
 
If you could improve anything in the region, what would it be?

I think Liverpool is making great strides in terms of improving the public realm within the city centre and certainly Lime Street station and the dock has had a massive make-over. But I still believe more can and hopefully will be done to create a more interesting and interlinking theme through our city centre.

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

My first job was as a baker and my wife will confirm I can still make an excellent loaf of bread!  This sparked a 20 year career in retail as a bakery manager, store manager and for the last 15 years as an area manager for Safeway Stores.

I then became a general manager for M&S to gain fashion experience which has enabled me to move into property management.  It allows me to use my people skills and my knowledge of retailers’ needs. 

What do you most enjoy about your job?

My job is different every day. Whilst I have functions to carry out to deliver operational standards and manage cost control, I’m in a position where interaction with customers on the mall and our retailers is part of my daily routine.

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

The main barrier I faced was when I become an area manger at 18 years of age. Managing people is a skill and looking back I found it very difficult in the early days.

Imagine the difficulty of diplomatically telling a store manager who is twice your age, with twice the experience that they are not delivering. But I firmly believe you learn from being thrown in at the deep end and a barrier soon becomes a hurdle for you to overcome.

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

“You never get a second chance for a first impression “ 

And the worst?

I was once told that I should “Never sit on the fence as it’s a sign of weakness”.

This is not always true – sometimes standing back sitting on the fence and looking at what’s going on around you is the best option.