What does a typical day involve for a Commercial Land Manager?
Every day is different. My role is primarily focused on securing new sites for Richborough’s Commercial division, and managing our contracted sites through the promotion journey with the wider team. We primarily target sites that are suitable for industrial & logistics uses across the country, so it’s busy to say the least.
What do you enjoy about your role?
The satisfaction of seeing a project through the lifecycle from initial conversations with landowners and agents, to negotiating a successful legal exchange, and then seeing the vision for the site really start to come to life.
If I were to choose one particular aspect, it would have to be getting the call from the agent or landowner to say we’ve been chosen as preferred partner. That’s a great feeling!
What do you enjoy about working for Richborough Commercial?
It’s got to be the culture that has been created. It’s a special team to be a part of, and making friends along the way is the cherry on top. Richborough also know how to celebrate!
What is your proudest achievement with Richborough Commercial?
Just in general the growth of the Commercial business having joined soon after it was formed. We have some excellent sites which are now heading towards planning submissions in the near future, so it’s exciting times.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to enter the field of land promotion?
It’s as much about who you know as it is what you know. Needless to say it’s a ‘jack of all trades’ type of career where you need to have a strong skillset including communication, negotiation, technical knowledge and of course patience.
The key to a successful land career is continuing to get out there and meet people, as you never know where the next land opportunity will arise.
How do you unwind after a particularly challenging project or day?
I’ll literally watch any sport that’s on the tv (much to my wife’s annoyance). Beyond that, it’s a constant battle trying to balance life with a 5-month old baby and finding any spare time; whenever that arises it’s usually spent in the gym.