Find out what it is really like to work for us...
Q: What were you doing before you joined Watts and how long have you been with the firm?
A: I had been at Manchester University before going on to work at a large post-production firm in Soho. For various reasons I decided to give it all up, and I was attracted to the practical and varied nature of property and returned to University (London South Bank), where I successfully completed my MSc in Building Surveying. I went on to work for Hunter & Partners in Hammersmith before joining Watts in April 2006.
Q: Why did you decide to join Watts?
A: I needed a change professionally that provided me with better project experience and structured APC training, and Watts offered everything I was looking for, including the opportunity to work in different areas of surveying and potentially different geographical locations.
Q: What kind of projects are you currently involved in? What has been your most interesting job to-date?
A: I am currently finalising the £1.2 million refurbishment of police offices in Leytonstone, which include an interview suite and front reception but no exciting high security features like cells or weapon stores, unfortunately.
Another two developing include: the replacement of over 3500 steel Crittall windows on behalf of the Freehold Company of a residential block in Hammersmith. This has comprised, innumerable difficulties with both planning and the leaseholders; and the refurbishing and securing of two residential flats above a Nationwide Building Society branch in Finchley.
I have been fortunate in the type and size of all the projects I have been responsible for to date, all of which have been interesting, but for different reasons; for the Police for example the additional security requirements and specialist groups have been eye opening and a challenge… They also use more acronyms then an American crime thriller, which left me slightly bemused in the early stages of the project.
Q: How has your career progressed since joining Watts? Where do you see it going?
A: Things have gone well to date: increased responsibility
and positive feedback has been encouraging, and I’m enjoying
learning the trade through the jobs that I’m working on.
Management experience and building good client relations is my
focus; an opportunity to work abroad would be an added bonus.
Q: How would you describe Watts as a company?
A: There’s a lot of growth within teams and change at the moment, as the company looks to maximise upon market opportunities and the new plc status. Developments are exciting, and the company has been ‘dynamic’ in its approach.
Q: How would you describe the social side of your team?
A: I work in the Public Property team and as with most of the
other teams, it comes with many and varied personalities. Invariably
when gathered together we enjoy ourselves; social occasions have
included a slightly wacky ghost walk and a comedy night, where
some of the team received more attention, then they would have
hoped for. Future events planned include paint balling and ten
pin bowling, while there is also some pressure to reform and
rediscover the somewhat varied success experienced by the 5 a-side
football team that graced the city league not too long ago!
Q: Do you have any advice for people wanting to join Watts?
A: First of all, do your best to be invited to the graduate recruitment day, which I enjoyed assessing last year; and then if given the opportunity, be well prepared, but relaxed and amiable! If you get it right, joining Watts would be an excellent start to your career.