What three words describe Workman?

Adaptable, consistent, impartial.

What has been your standout moment at Workman so far?

Completing the Skypark Cycle Store Project for Federated Hermes. The project took a while to get off the ground and was paused through Covid. However, we applied for and obtained a £30k grant from Cycling Scotland. On completion we achieved Platinum-level certification from Cycling Score – their highest rating – and the end result has received some great feedback from the client and tenants.

Tell us about a time you’ve put your skills to their best use on a Workman project?

I’m very organised, in life and work – perhaps OCD, who knows?! However, this has helped during my time at Workman. As a Building Surveyor I regularly juggle multiple projects and professional work at the same time so my keen organisational skills help.

What change would you make to a single aspect of the wider property sector and why?

Material price increases are plaguing the industry at present. This feels like it is going to follow the direction of petrol and diesel prices where there is no return to previous levels. It makes things challenging as a Project Manager when dealing with budgets or even tender costs, as there is no certainty that costs will not increase the day after you calculate them.

What are your spare time pursuits and how do they feed into your role at Workman?

Our current house came with a large plastic shed in the back garden that I have turned into a Covid-free gym (because I’m the only member). When working from home, I will often use 30 minutes of my lunchtime in the gym to get away from my screen and break up the day. This helps me clear my head and allows me time to refocus for the afternoon.

What is your favourite building worldwide, and why?

This might sound unusual, but it is our current house. The reason for that is our three-and-a-half year-old son thinks it’s the biggest and best house there is, which makes me happier than any architectural masterpiece out there.

What first led you into the property industry?

During a gap year in Australia, I ended up working in the construction industry putting plasterboard sheets on new build houses. This was by far the hardest and most physically demanding job I have ever done, however it gave me my initial insight into the property industry. On return to the UK, I enrolled on the BSc Hons Building Surveying course at Caledonian University, and have never looked back.

What book would you recommend and why?

For some laughter with my son at the end of the day, nothing beats a Julia Donaldson / Axel Scheffler book. My particular favourites from their brilliantly illustrated rhyming collection are The Highway Rat and Superworm. Perhaps not the most intellectually weighty or literary of reads, but they do offer some valuable life lessons: 1: never trust a rat with a sweet tooth 2: always believe in the power of kindness and friendship.