Drive and ambition will make 2012 a better year

I am confident that 2012 will be better than 2011. There are a lot of people with enormous drive and ambition in our region.

So despite the state of the economy, deals will be done. Equity is still available through property funds and pension schemes. This is increasingly the way deals are able to be financed and people in this region want to do deals.

What is the best project in which you have been involved?

Being primarily a transactional lawyer, there are too many to mention.

However, any project which develops an area to create jobs or homes and seeing it through to occupation is immensely satisfying.

Turning a bare piece of land into a bustling hive of student accommodation or a housing estate full of families is a good example of this.

What is your favourite building and why ?

For me, it’s got to be the Corn Exchange in Leeds. When you sit in the restaurant in the evening and look up at the lit windows forming the dome it is spectacular. A shining example of a wonderful refurbishment project.

It is currently let down by the buildings around it and I hope the Kirkgate area of Leeds is rejuvenated soon so this building is set within the environment it deserves.

If you could change one thing to improve the property industry in this region, what would it be?

I would boost confidence by gagging the doomsayers.

Our region’s strength in promoting change and innovation is the quality that’s the driving force behind our most prosperous property based businesses.

I’d love to see even more inspirational and charismatic leaders joining the property industry to boost confidence and provide a catalyst for growth.