Property Focus: The Interview – Andy Gibson

THIS week’s Property Interview meets Andy Gibson, senior project manager in the Birmingham office of Turner and Townsend.

The property and management consultant has 13 offices in the UK, 63 worldwide and employs 2,400 staff across 28 countries. The Birmingham team operates from Church Street and is 100 people strong.

If you are interested in taking part in ‘The Interview’, please email tamlyn.jones@thebusinessdesk.com and click through to see all our previous Property Focus Interviews.

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

Since the Tory-Lib Dem Government took over power and announced their first budget, I don’t hold up much hope for this market in the short term. VAT increases, reductions in Government Capital spend programmes and the cuts to the public sector are all likely to culminate in a huge increase in unemployment and a lack of money in the market. I believe this may lead to a period of recession and a sharp decline in the commercial market.

With bankers still keen to build their reserves, it seems unlikely that they will change their policy on lending and I don’t believe there will be many investors out there to encourage the property development markets. The lack of housing and the Government’s plans to slash their capital budget in building new housing schemes may help to increase demand for housing and so house prices may stay steady against other trends in the market.

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

All of the above will cause a reduction in the number of new schemes and as a result Turner and Townsend, and their competitors, will be forced to look elsewhere to grow the business in areas where there is a growth and investment potential. However, in the UK there are plenty of opportunities to assist the public sector in making tangible savings in delivering existing services for less and in a more efficient way.

It is a difficult time for the public sector this year, just as it was a difficult time for the private sector last year but with challenging times come opportunities.

3. Why do you think that the West Midlands is a good place to do business?

There are many good working people and professionals to tap into as a resource. Business, training and support services are diverse and well advanced to offer all the services any business could need. There are probably a large number of sites available to businesses with competitive leasing rates.

4. What is your favourite building/development in the West Midlands and why?

Baskerville House in Birmingham is a gorgeous and classy design; the architect has designed an iconic building that you can’t fail to notice.

5. If you could improve anything in the region, what would it be?

I would have the National Stadium in Birmingham and develop a network of cycle routes throughout the city that are separate to the road network.

6. What barriers have you had to overcome during your career and how have you overcome them?

I’ve always felt that it is important to take ownership of your own career; decide what you want to do and where you want to be and set a strategy for achieving the long-term vision. I wouldn’t be a very good project manager if I didn’t plan. After all, it was four years ago that I applied to Turner and Townsend after identifying that the consultancy had won the role of project director on the £550m Birmingham New Street redevelopment. I decided there and then I wanted to work on this exciting commission and so found a way to make it happen.

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

I was first employed as an apprentice toolmaker. I left the automotive industry at a time when industry was in sharp decline to undertake a masters in construction project management. This was the catapult I needed to get involved with construction.

8. What do you enjoy most about your job?

Each project has a new and interesting challenge but the Birmingham Gateway project is rewarding from the point of view I get to work with Birmingham City Council on realising their ambitions for the city centre. A new train station will truly link this city to the rest of the UK and present so many opportunities in terms of commerce.

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

Always be seen to be supportive of your boss even if you hate working for them.

10. And the worst?

You’re mad if you don’t use sick days as additional leave.

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