Railway station that stands out with its architecture and history

I think there are many positives we can take into the new year that will help the industry through this tough period. Within the office sector, take-up in 2011 has surpassed 400,000 sq ft, a 29 per cent increase on the total from this time last year. With circa 400,000 sq ft of active named enquires in the market place at present and with Grade A office space diminishing, incentives have started to harden and higher headlines are returning to the market. With supply decreasing I hope to think this time next year the phrase ‘speculative build’ is one not too far over the horizon.

What is the best project you have been involved in?

I’ve worked on the Round Foundry and Marshall Mill scheme at Holbeck since I started my graduate training nearly four years ago and is a project I’ve always enjoyed dealing with. With a multi-million pound refurbishment underway at Marshall Mill and the success we’ve been having attracting new occupiers, I look forward to 2012 and beyond with the project.

What is your favourite building in the region and why?

Having recently been on holiday in New York I would love to say Grand Central Station. However, having grown up near Huddersfield I am proud to say that West Yorkshire’s equivalent, Huddersfield train station, is my favourite building due to its 1850s architecture and the history surrounding the square.

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

There are various possibilities that would help improve the property industry, notably empty property taxation which has made life very difficult for landlords in challenging times. The obvious one is occupier confidence and bank lending which is the recipe for further growth and development.

Whom do you most admire in the property industry?

Henrie Westlake and Alex Munro, heads of the Leeds office for actually employing me. Jonathan Hyland for his guidance and ‘no nonsense approach’ and Guy Cooke (now at BNP Sheffield) for taking me under his wing when I first started.