Property Focus: The Interview – Michael Jones

ON Property Focus this week Michael Jones, lead partner at project management practice Powell Williams in Birmingham, talks about the second city’s image and its redevelopment projects.

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?

The market is still quite quiet and nervous. It would seem that many investors are ‘sitting on their hands’ and have been for the last 12 months or more. We hear there are investment funds available for the right project but what we’re actually seeing is the market playing a waiting game. Interest rates, inflation, the budget and, it would seem, the ever-increasing tensions in the Middle East are all major influencers.

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

It will be the response of the market to the Government’s austerity measures which I feel are yet to really hit home. Following the Budget will be the next Finance Act and everyone is asking whether this will include more recessionary measures or encouragement to grow.

For our business, the challenge is to keep costs under control, while continuing to look after key staff so we are positioned to take maximum advantage when spring time in the market occurs.

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

The region is renowned for an ability to take a positive attitude, even in the most difficult circumstances and an inherent wish to say ‘yes, can do’. We have a cosmopolitan population which brings together a diverse range of cultures, communities and individuals with a strong track record of coming up with solutions that work for everybody.

Add to this the central location, access and infrastructure, particularly road and rail linkages both north and south, and a wealth of business parks and high quality city centre premises, and you can see why the Midlands is a great place to set up shop.

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

My immediate response is to say the regenerated Fort Dunlop, it looks fabulous from the M6, especially at night. I also really like Mailbox. Both developments are by Urban Splash which has done a fantastic job of taking existing, iconic buildings which have fallen out of favour, and bringing them back to life.

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

Image. Birmingham always seems to be considered second best to London, when in some cases we are better. With a fairly compact city centre getting around is less of a problem than in the metropolis and we have great access to the rest of the country, and even the world with Birmingham Airport. Case in point, the proposed international, multi-functional sports arena is set to be located in the central West Midlands area, in order to make the most of these major roads, air and rail networks.

The region is full of creative, successful, forward thinking businesses and individuals, which is often overlooked in the outsider’s stereotypical picture of Birmingham. The city centre has undergone a renaissance in recent years – consider the attractions and venues that have been purpose-built such as the NEC and Symphony Hall, or the revitalised Fort Dunlop and Mailbox. The region is attracting more visitors and investment than ever before which is now starting to be recognised outside of the region.

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

Starting out in an apprenticeship-style role as an architectural technician at 15, and therefore not being RICS accredited, was an early barrier which I tackled by signing up for an undergraduate degree in building surveying at the grand old age of 23. I was delighted to survive three years as a mature student and very much value the strong work ethic and professional ethos those early days instilled in me.

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

At school, I found I was good at arithmetic and technical drawing which led naturally to my first job. After working for eight years in a technical capacity, I undertook a degree in building surveying and came out of polytechnic with a job offer with Leicestershire County Council.

8. What do you most enjoy about your job?

I enjoy having the freedom to express myself in a professional capacity and bring value to my clients’ businesses. Working with like minded professionals is both stimulating and satisfying. As is working closely with colleagues I know well and trust implicitly, it makes the working day eminently more enjoyable.

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

As a building consultant, my job is to provide well thought-out advice to my clients, so I live by the lesson picked up from many different mentors along the way: make sure you have assessed all the risks and considered all associated issues, because their business could depend on you having done your job properly.

10. And the worst?

Happily nothing springs immediately to mind.