Property Focus: The Interview – Jonathan Moore

JONATHAN Moore is an associate in the commercial property department at the York office of national law firm Dickinson Dees.

The award-winning law firm employs 50 people in the York office, which opened in 2007 and covers the whole of Yorkshire.

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

“I think it is important to be upbeat. We are much busier than we were this time 12 months ago and there seems to be a return of confidence to certain sectors of the investment market. 

“Occupier demand remains the driving force behind a recovery in the market and there are signs this is picking up albeit cautiously. The availability of affordable development finance does mean that a recovery in the development market will be more gradual.”

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

“The state of the UK economy remains the greatest challenge to a recovery in the commercial property sector. The coalition government has a tremendous balancing act to perform, making sure that the cuts in public spending do not hinder the promising signs of recovery that we have seen in recent months. 

“The removal of the HIP is to, house builders and buyers alike, seen as a positive step. Whereas this is not likely to kick-start a revival in the housing market it can only assist.”

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

“There is so much collaboration and co-operation between professionals in Yorkshire, which is underpinned by a ‘can-do’ attitude. 

“There is a great deal of pride and optimism within the county. The geographical and social diversity of Yorkshire also provides a whole series of different and interesting opportunities.”

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

“This has to be the wonderful Raithwaite Hall development in the picturesque village of Sandsend on the East Coast. Apart from providing amazing new leisure facilities for the area, the development by Skelwith Leisure, undertaken in the teeth of the recession, is a product of an innovative approach to funding both by the developer and Grosvenor Financial Consultants.”

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

“To make it more like Derbyshire (you should never forget your roots!).”

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

“This prolonged recession and the challenges that it presents is the biggest barrier I have faced in my career. The only way to overcome obstacles that did not exist in the preceding decade has been to remain confident and to work hard to put like minded people together to explore opportunities and possibility. The vast Dickinson Dees network has assisted hugely in this task.”

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

“My first job was as a brickie’s labourer in Derby, taught me good honest ‘graft’ and a strong work ethic. I trained at Harrowells in York and on qualification joined Eversheds in 2000. 

“I became a solicitor because it suits my tendency to analyse details but also so that I could play a part in the machinery that helps put deals together.”

8. What do you most enjoy about your job?

“I enjoy the opportunity and challenges that my job brings. In recent months I have been involved with deals that have, despite the economic downturn, succeeded.  Helping our clients to overcome these hurdles is hugely rewarding.”

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

“Don’t underestimate anybody.”

10. And the worst?

“All good things come to those who wait – to borrow a phrase from the world of corporate advertising, ‘Just do it!’.”