PROPERTY Focus sits down this week with the head of property consultancy Knight Frank’s Birmingham office Mark Swallow – also known as freebird from his days as a mobile DJ.
During his career, Mark has specialised in advising clients in largescale regeneration and on the student accommodation market.
1. What are your views on the current state of the commercial and property development markets?
The best way that I can describe the market’s current position is “state of flux”. Since the Coalition came in, we have been waiting for the Comprehensive Spending Review and even now, as we digest the ramifications, its full impact is still not clear.
It is true to a degree that Birmingham has relied on public sector occupiers, but fortunately for us, not to the same degree as other regional cities and we have been able to feed occupier demand at the lower end of the spectrum, with less expensive but well-spec’d accommodation.
There is life in the occupational markets and while it will be several years before we see the return of the Development funding – and confidence – required for large scale development, we shall see older buildings being refurbished and brought back to the market first.
2. What are the key challenges and pieces of legislation you think will most affect your sector over the coming months?
Most topically it is the removal of quangos and the effect this will have, alongside confirmation in the CSR that the moratorium on new Government leases will remain until 2015 which means there will be a managed reduction of the government estate to coincide with the reduction of public sector staff.
There was only a passing reference to the future of government asset sales, but we know this will be a significant programme so landlords should start to make plans for the return of their buildings and turn this into a regeneration opportunity.
3. Why do you think the West Midlands is a good place to do business?
A broad demographic with cross-sector skills; a strong professional, cultural and leisure offer; a natural advantage in terms of location supported by excellent transport links, which will hopefully be strengthened further by the HS2 proposals. 4. What is your favourite building/development in the West Midlands and why?
I am a big fan of Four Brindleyplace – a clean but interesting exterior combined with an entrance and atrium that are both generous for a regional office and resemble something more usually found in large capital cities. I think it is representative of what the commercial property sector should aspire to deliver. The building is withstanding the test of time. 5. If you could improve anything in the region, what would it be?
The city is already on the case and it’s an oft-quoted line, but “raising the sell for inward investment” and making sure that the region is top of the list not just for occupiers but across the board.
6. What barriers have you faced during your career and how have you overcome them?
The London-based sceptics are rather dull to deal with; having worked for long periods in both Newcastle and Birmingham, I think regional marketplaces have demonstrated their ability to perform.
7. What was your first job and how did you enter your current line of work?
As a trainee surveyor, earning £18 per week, I supplemented my income as “Freebird”. This was my moniker as a mobile DJ, playing any ABBA song or the Quo’s “Caroline” which were guaranteed floor fillers.
Even though I was earning more every weekend DJ-ing, I persevered with surveying which I’d gone for because the careers advisor had promised I wouldn’t spend my life sat behind a desk…and because its entry level was any two A-levels.
8. What do you most enjoy about your job?
It is the general good humour of the property world, even in difficult times, and I have always got a thrill from working with exciting people on exciting projects.
9. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“Live for today; tomorrow could be very different” – a motto from my father which has never been truer than in today’s fast-paced world. And anyone who knows me, will know that I live and die by this one: shy bairns get nowt!
10. And the worst?
My granny’s advice was to take up the cloth and be a vicar…thank goodness I ignored that one!
If you are interested in working in partnership with TheBusinessDesk.com on a round table event, call Lee-J Walker on 07807 083544 or email him at leej.walker@TheBusinessDesk.com
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