A day in the life…

This article was written for EG’s Starting Out in Real Estate supplement, click here to view the digital edition >> From project managers to valuers; architects to engineers, the range of roles in the real estate sector is expansive. Here we feature a range of professionals working in different roles and sectors and at different stages of their career, who discuss their journeys into real estate, the skill sets needed for their role, what they do day to day and, crucially, what they love about the industry… James Bircumshaw, head of acquisitions & partnerships, EMEA, Skyports I knew I wanted a professional qualification but I wasn’t entirely sure what that would be. I explored law and accountancy but wanted a job where I wasn’t desk-bound. I identified real estate as a possibility and went knocking on the doors of property companies. I secured a two-week work experience placement at King Sturge (now part of JLL), and decided to pursue a career in commercial real estate surveying. Oxford Brookes University accepted me on to its three-year BSc in real estate management and, during that time, I did a work experience placement at Savills. A graduate scheme at Savills followed in 2014 and I gained exposure to various parts of the business, including agency and professional. I also became MRICS qualified. The time spent in city offices was pivotal. I loved many of the spaces occupied by tech businesses. I gained exposure to how some of them performed and operated and that confirmed to me that I was interested in working for a start-up business. I took the leap into proptech in 2019 with vertiport provider, Skyports. I was employed to lead our global acquisition strategy. In my current role, I identify new sites for electrical vertical take-off aircraft and spend a lot of time working with landlords, developers and airport operators. I also spend time with the vehicle manufacturers and operators, design the routes and analyse demand data. Once we’ve overseen the site acquisition, I then oversee the development phase. The work we do is truly ground-breaking, so there is no textbook answer or precedent. We encounter new issues and problems every day and they are things no one has ever thought about before. We work with a diverse range of professionals, including those with backgrounds in regulation, aviation, development and construction. I love the variety and challenges this brings and being at the cutting edge. Suited to Problem solvers Innovative thinkers Those with a passion for technology and software Qualification No formal qualification required for a career in proptech, though the MRICS qualification has provided a good grounding. Top tip: Make sure you have something on your CV that helps you to stand out from the crowd. Yohance Harper, partner & development manager, Quadrant Estates For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be an architect. I loved making things (and taking them apart) and growing up in different countries and cultures made me curious about how we inhabit space. I studied architecture at university and began my career in it. Although it was challenging, I loved the years I worked in architecture. It was a reflective period where I learnt about both the built environment and myself. Based on the insights I gained from working in the industry, research and help from mentors, I realised that a career in real estate had many of the things I loved about architecture, with the added dynamic of commerciality. I used a summer internship at CBRE to explore the industry and it confirmed that it was exactly where I needed to be. That gave me the confidence to undertake a masters at University College London, which led to a graduate scheme at CBRE and, ultimately, a role in CBRE Capital Advisors. I subsequently moved to Quadrant, where I now work as a development manager. In the simplest terms, my job role is the chief executive of multiple multi-million-pound businesses that happen to be buildings. I’m involved with everything from the acquisition and financing of the site, to bringing the design team together and guiding the proposals, to working with the contractors to realise the vision, before engaging with the markets to lease and sell the space. Throughout the entire process, how the end user will interact with the space is the key focus and seeing that come to fruition is a real “call home and tell my parents” moment. I love that it’s a dynamic role that is mentally stimulating. There’s never one collective solution, so the possibilities for my day and the project are genuinely endless. As it’s a tangible skill, it also presents wider opportunities. I followed my passion for buildings and people into lecturing at a number of universities, including UCL and Westminster, as well as chairing a committee for the Urban Land Institute, which engages with thousands of leading real estate professionals on a global scale. Most recently I purchased and converted a warehouse, which will soon be featured on Channel 4. Suited to Problem-solvers who are resourceful and passionate Those with the staying power to find positive solutions Qualifications There are a variety of ways to enter the profession as there are numerous skillsets to be drawn on. Most development managers start out in the built environment and tend to have qualifications from the RICS. Other routes include architecture, engineering and project management, but the real prerequisite is a passion for space and people. Top tip: Identify your skills and passions. Your ideal role will encompass both. Once you do that, seek work experience. It is key to gaining a real-life understanding of the industry and guiding your direction within it. View the digital edition of Starting Out in Real Estate >> See more: A day in the life of…  Main image © Marvin Meyer/Unsplash. Others supplied