Property Focus: The Interview – John Shannon

In our series of interviews with top professionals from across the property sector, TheBusinessDesk catches up with John Shannon, North West director for Wates Construction.

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

The commercial market is currently in a depressed state with few signs of encouragement. 

However, the leisure and hotel markets seem to be positioning themselves for an early upturn, with gap funding acting as a catalyst to kick-start some of the commercial markets.

With regard to the public sector, there is current political turmoil and unrest, with the imminent general election creating uncertainty. The current huge public debt is causing low confidence which is further exacerbated by potential cuts in this sector.

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

The formal inquiry into race discrimination in the construction Industry identified that the sector needs to keep pace with demographic changes if it is to remain competitive.

These changes suggest that by 2010 only 20% of the workforce will be white, non-disabled men under 45. At present, the current proportion of non-white ethnic minorities working in the industry is just 3.3% – compared with 7.9% of the total active population.

The construction industry must get better at recognising the advantages of having a diverse workforce and opening up more opportunities for ethnic minorities and women. This will not only further enhance the sector’s own talent pool, but will also go some way towards alleviating any future skills shortage issues.

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

The North West is an excellent place to do business as geographically it is served by two major conurbations, in Liverpool and Manchester. 

The North West is currently home to some of the most deprived areas in the UK which lends itself to great regeneration opportunities, in the form of education and housing, as the region does still lag behind the more affluent south.

The connectivity of the North West to London by rail, road and plane increases the attractiveness to external investment.

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

The Art and Design Academy at John Moore’s University in Liverpool is an iconic, modern building enhanced by the dramatic backdrop of the Metropolitan Cathedral.  This building has set a benchmark for build quality in the higher education sector.

A personal favourite of mine is Manchester Town Hall, with the fantastic architecture. Internally, you can really sense the heritage and history behind the building, realising the contribution Manchester made to the industrial revolution.

However, the new People’s History Museum that Wates is building is a close second. Designed by Austin Smith Lord, I think that the old and new sections to the building complement each other fantastically. The particularly striking use of the ionized Corten cladding ensures that it stands out against its dramatic neighbour – The Civil Justice Courts.

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

I entered the construction industry as a site engineer.

My father was a site manager and I had always wanted to follow in his footsteps.  I used to travel to site with him on Saturday mornings and these early experiences certainly gave me a taste of things to come and whetted my appetite to build.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Construction remains a consuming passion of mine. Leading a business to secure work, to build out projects and take an instrumental role in developing people and relationships. 

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

The only barriers that spring to mind would be those sometimes created by the north/south divide and the generalised perception of the north.

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

You only get out of life what you put into it.

And the worst?

I am fortunate enough to have received little bad advice, and to only have remembered the good advice!