Property Focus: The Interview – Phil Harrison, managing director for Wates Construction in the Midlands and North

In our series of regular interviews with top professionals from the property sector, TheBusinessDesk.com catches up with Phil Harrison, managing director for Wates Construction in the Midlands and North.

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

The commercial market is very much an emerging one at the moment. For the past couple of years it has been subdued as a result of the economic downturn, but at Wates we have certainly seen much more excitement in the last few months. Certain sectors in particular are looking promising such as senior living and commercial property for the end user.

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

The pending changes to the Part L Building Regulations are threatening to add additional costs to construction projects. This may in turn affect the flow of work with projects delayed due to budget restrictions. For us it is vital that quality is not compromised whilst we endeavour to remain as cost effective as possible.

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

The people make the North West the fantastic place it is. Our workforce is the driving force behind our success in this region and we are continually looking for ways to reward this and reinvest in our employees. The North West has seen a great deal of reinvention over the past two years as it has reshaped and refocused to accommodate the changing economic climate. As a region, its diligence and ingenuity is incomparable.
 
What is your favourite building/development in the North West and why?

North Liverpool Academy in Everton is one of my favourite buildings in the country, let alone the North West. It’s not just because of the unique use of design and stunning architecture, but the way the building’s facilities are changing lives in a deprived area of Liverpool.

If you could change anything about the North West what would it be?

The south’s perception of it! Despite its existence in the 21st century, there remains an unfathomable archaic view of the region from some quarters. This is no longer a place of smokey chimneys and sooty cobbled streets, but a hubub of technology and business.

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

I was an apprentice at Vickers Ship Building in Barrow-in-Furness. This gave me a taste for the art of construction and I went on to study Construction at Sheffield University.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

The people. I’m lucky that my role requires frequent contact with employees and clients and they are a diverse bunch in the construction industry! I’m even more fortunate that leadership and people development is one of Wates’ core values so I am able to commit great deal of time and resource in driving forward added value schemes for the workforce and the communities we work in.

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

I think the perception of barriers in the construction industry is an antiquated one. This is a very accessible and inclusive industry and very rewarding for those that are prepared to work hard.

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

Be yourself.

And the worst?

I don’t think we tend to remember the bad advice. Even that which we may have naively acted upon!