What is your role at LSH?
 
I’m an Associate Director in Industrial & Logistics Agency, based in LSH’s Cardiff office.
 
Where did your career begin?
 
After graduating from the University of the West of England in Real Estate Management in 2005, I returned to my home town of Newport and joined general property practice Huchings & Thomas.
 
I worked across all of its service areas – lease advisory, valuation and agency. And although a local firm, it had clients across the UK so I got to travel widely, learning a lot about the UK property market and the difference between regions.
 
My brother is a town planner so I guess an understanding of property and how a good strategy can transform a city for its people is in our family. Newport is a classic example as it has improved dramatically thanks to a vision supported by both private and public sector investment.
 
I became a Chartered Surveyor in 2011, joining LSH’s professional team in 2015. I wanted to experience working as part of a national firm and introduce my contacts to a much bigger market. As a surveyor it’s certainly reassuring to have the back-up of so many experienced professionals who value lateral thinking and make things happen.
 
What do you enjoy most about working with clients?
 
My role today is purely about agency - 12 years into my career it’s clear what I’m best at. I have a lively personality and I get a kick out of brokering deals and negotiating the best possible terms for clients.
 
The client relationship is really important to me. Getting an understanding of the business and the sector they are operating in, what their needs are whether they are looking to buy, lease or sell.
 
What emerging issues do you see as critical to the sector?
 
I cover south east Wales and from Cardiff across to Chepstow the biggest issue is a shortage of stock. The situation has made me look at things differently, working out how to create opportunities, for example, by looking at employment land and development sites and encouraging development. It’s all about trying to create a supply.
 
Tell us something your clients might not know about you 
 
I’m a father of two little girls which certainly keeps me on my toes. I used to play rugby and football but now I’m more about trying to keep fit through the Celtic Academy, a training initiative at the Celtic Manor Resort. Then there’s golf of course, vital to good client hospitality.