Property Focus: The Interview – Gillian Oliver of DTZ

GILLIAN Oliver is rating director in DTZ’s Leeds office. 

She heads a team specialising in rating valuation and rates management of all types of commercial property. 

With more than 25 years professional experience, she provides strategic rating advice to public and private sector clients, achieving rates savings through negotiation and appearances at Valuation Tribunal Hearings. 

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

“Overall investor sentiment is more confident than early 2009 and we have seen some hardening of prices in the best quality property investments.

“However any recovery is very limited at this stage whilst investors remain nervous about risk associated with occupier failure and empty rates. Prices generally remain subdued and buyers with access to cash see the market as very good value at the moment.”

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

“The next rating revaluation comes into effect on April 1 2010.

“The draft version of the 2010 Rating List has recently been published,  so we are now advising on the new rateable values which are based on 1st April 2008 rental levels. 

“In the already challenging economic conditions, the revaluation, together with the inevitable new legislation regarding transitional relief, time limits and empty rates will mean a potential minefield for business ratepayers and our advice will be in demand to mitigate rates liabilities.” 

3. Why do you think Yorkshire is a good place to do business?

“Saving money is usually high on the agenda for Yorkshire business people so rating appeals are always a popular service.”

4. What is your favourite building/development in Yorkshire and why?

“It would have to be St Paul’s House which is home to the Leeds office of DTZ. Originally built in 1878 for John Barran as a clothing factory and warehouse in Moorish-Venetian style, it was reincarnated as offices in 1979 and has withstood the test of time remarkably well. 

“Its unique location with views over Park Square to Leeds Town Hall makes for a very pleasant working environment.”

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

“The weather!”

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

“Serious guilt when my son had to attend school holiday clubs and after school care because I was working, but it doesn’t seem to have done him any permanent harm.”

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

“As a teenager I had a Saturday job in Schofields store in Leeds, selling shoes in the ‘Young Yorkshire’ department! I qualified as a chartered surveyor whilst working in the valuation office as a cadet valuer.”

8. What do you most enjoy about your job?

“I derive huge satisfaction from reducing clients’ business rate liabilities and recovering substantial rates refund cheques for them as a result of successful negotiations.

“I also enjoy seeing the parts of buildings ‘behind the scenes’ that many people never get to see.”

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

“My father encouraged me to become a surveyor for which I am grateful.”

10. And the worst?

“‘Just give yourself a little push’ from a helpful Geordie as I was about to descend one of the steeper flumes at ‘Wet n Wild’ in North Shields!”