Property Focus: The Interview – John Keyes
What are your views of the current state of the commercial property and property development markets?
Property and development markets are clearly in a difficult place right now although there are some signs of slow improvement. I work a lot with public sector organisations – helping them to produce effective and efficient property assets – and they face probably the greatest challenge and change since 1945. Saving money while reforming service delivery models is a very, very demanding agenda. But as always, the best will respond and find solutions which others will then follow. In that sense, this is an exciting time and also one of opportunity.
What key challenges and pieces of legislation do you think will most affect your sector over the coming months?
In my area of business, all eyes were focused on the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) on October 20 this year. We are now all looking at how the cuts and reform agenda will play out over the coming months. One of the challenges is the move away from the mindset of waiting for legislation and policy before implementing change. We need to be delivering change now!
Why do you think the North West is a good place to do business?
Most of the region’s success stories are founded on the public and private sectors working together. I suspect that we are better at partnership working than most – although we also know it’s not easy. We need this spirit of partnership even more now and over the coming years. The big difference is that the public sector role will not primarily be about writing cheques.
What is your favourite building/development in the North West and why?
My eldest son would want me to say the City of Manchester Stadium but I would opt for Manchester Town Hall. Predictable I know, but it is still the building that sums up the history of the city and region to outsiders.
If you could improve anything in the region, what would it be?
Richie McCaw joining Sale Sharks rugby team would be one improvement (on the assumption that West Ham United can’t play their home games at Old Trafford). Faster rail links to London would also help.
What was your first job and how did you enter your current line of work?
My first career role was as a town planner at Stoke City Council – I can’t claim to have made a huge difference! After working in town planning and regeneration consultancy, I have progressed into advising public sector property occupiers. One of my first ventures into this area was working with a further education college in Liverpool.
What do you most enjoy about your job?
The job is most enjoyable when you form a close working – and often personal – relationship with clients and you really feel that you are making a difference and helping their business to improve and succeed – the holy grail of consultancy!
What barriers have you faced during your career and how have you overcome them?
No real barriers. I think the obvious one is the market conditions that we are currently facing. We are all working hard and needing to be more flexible in order to respond.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
That clients want firm and consistent advice. I was trained as a town planner and that profession tries to look at problems from all angles, which is definitely a positive thing, however now – during these challenging economic times – more than ever it’s important that we demonstrate solid leadership.
And the worst?
I think that consultants used to think their role was to impart expertise to clients. We have learnt lessons and are now much more focused on working with clients in a collaborative way to find the right solutions.
