They don’t make land anymore – quality musings at our Property Lunch

Reflecting on his early dreams of being a Rugby League player, growing up in Oldham, flunking his GCSEs and A Levels before eventually securing a place at UCLAN in Preston, our special guest Phil Mayall was on lucid and generous form at theBusinessDesk.com Property Lunch at Manchester Hall yesterday.

The managing director of developer Muse, Mayall spoke candidly and warmly about lessons learned in business and in life from mentors and colleagues over the years, including the late Trevor Hemmings of Northern Trust (who he first worked for after university), through Amec’s John Early and Mike Horner, and Matt Crompton of Muse with whom he’s worked so closely with as the business has transitioned from the name Amec Developments to its current shape today as a key part of Morgan Sindall.

Hemmings told the young Mayall, ‘they don’t make land any more’. Though obviously they do in Dubai, he reflected, the serious point though is it is therefore vital is to create value out of under utilitised assets and land, build on what else there is, and unlock the potential of the people of a place.

It sounds simple, and the conversation rarely got too technical, or locked into financial complexities, but it summed up the driving force behind the business and the way Mayall, and Muse, approach often neglected places.

“Leave something in for the next guy”, was another piece of advice Hemmings senior offered, which speaks of how important it is not to have the reputation for being someone you wouldn’t want to buy a business or a building from, but also for a developer not to dominate a town or city, but create space for others to flourish too. 

We spoke about the measures of success, again not just financial. He recounted how Salford’s former director of regen, Karen Hirst, called him one day in a state of excitement. By then well ensconced in her new role at Maple Grove Developments in Preston, she wanted to share her joy at seeing people eating and drinking on Chapel Street in Salford – ‘and not from a can’ – fulfilling the optimistic architect’s visual caricatures of what the area has become.

But Mayall was particularly insightful when talking about the experience of Stockport, taking on the difficult Grand Central site, and with support from the Council, under changing political and civic leadership, turning it into a fitting gateway to a town centre enjoying a real renaissance thanks to such patient investment through a financial crash, changes of government, a pandemic, war and inflation.

He also spoke warmly about the incredible power and stature of Lord Bob Kerslake, who died recently. The two worked together on the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation, and though gravely ill, Bob had insisted on being present at UK REIF to launch Stockport’s next phase with the English Cities Fund, of which Muse and Mayall are a key part.

To come full circle, he talked about how Muse has been selected by Oldham Council to deliver its ambitious vision for regeneration in the town.

He said he’s excited to get started, but also is enough of an experienced developer not to be driven by sentiment, just because it is his home town. He spoke in some detail about the tough love Muse can dispense to civic leaders about what needs to happen, and that they are prepared to walk away on occasion.

“As a business, we’re all about placemaking. We create kinder places in our towns and cities that focus on quality, community and sustainability. It’s regeneration with people at its heart; that will celebrate the proud town of Oldham, its rich heritage, along with its aspirations for the future.”

He admitted Muse is at the start of our journey with the council but knows it’s as important to get out in the community as soon as we’re able, to build, as he puts it “a brighter future for Oldham, together.”

Special thanks to the team at Manchester Hall for an excellent lunch, and to all our guests for taking the time to come and enjoy another successful event from TheBusinessDesk.com. Our next event is our summer barbecue on the 3rd of August with Randel Bryan from Factory International.