Boss on a wire
Ever wanted to watch your boss plunge 70m off a cliff? Yes? While Diary, of course, has never had such fantasies, we wonder if anyone at CBRE has. If so, they might enjoy this image of the big green giant’s EMEA chief executive Martin Samworth dangling precariously over a canyon in New Zealand. The daredevil boss (and his daughter) travelled at speeds of up to 150kph as they swung across the canyon. Good job the rope
was strong…
Getting Brand on board?
At Movers and Shakers’ 20th anniversary breakfast at the Dorchester last week, Diary could neither move nor shake, so thick was the room with property bigwigs. On stage was a stellar line up of chief executives: Barratt’s Mark Clare, Almacantar’s Mike Hussey, LandSec’s Rob Noel, Hammerson’s David Atkins and Quintain’s Max James. In the audience the likes of Gerald Ronson and Tony Pidgley plotted strategies for the year ahead. Back on stage the topic soon turned to property’s reputation, with chair (and Diary’s boss) Damian Wild asking the panel for their views on comedian Russell Brand’s claim that “property developers – in partnership with corrupt, inept or lazy politicians – have created a housing crisis for ordinary people all over the world”. Rob Noel dismissed Brand’s assertion, saying: “If real estate companies didn’t exist, then everyone would be living in the woods.” But it was Mike Hussey who had a practical suggestion. Better to have Brand on the inside of the tent, said Hussey: “He should sit in on the board of the largest property company in the UK, Land Securities.” Diary was still waiting for confirmation of the appointment as we went to press…
Is Pickles the Walrus?
Communities secretary Eric Pickles has snuffed out plans to transform a rundown Liverpool neighborhood in an attempt to save Beatles drummer Ringo Starr’s childhood home. Plus Dane Group had applied to knock down 439 Victorian terraced houses in Toxteth to deliver 264 new homes. Although Starr’s birthplace would have been retained, Pickles blocked the plans because “only a stub of this terrace would be saved”. It’ll be a long and winding road back through planning.
The stench of history
English Heritage this week added 14 new properties to its list of Grade II buildings. Listing is not generally something that goes down well with developers. They think it stinks. Said one: “It’s like being told you have to wear the same clothes every day for the rest of your life. No summer wardrobe or chance to change your style.”
Dead tired after bumper year
A little R&R is well deserved for the big players in the Manchester market after a bumper year. But perhaps some in the North West property fraternity got a little too used to putting their feet up. One head of a major North West agency got so relaxed over the extended winter break that their kinetic watch stopped ticking. Twice. We’re all for a little time off, but being declared dead by your wearable tech might be a hint that you’ve gone a little far.
Agent of the Amazon
Diary was this week terrified to hear of the recreational habits of the latest hire at developer Capital & Centric. Former CBRE office agent Michelle Rothwell recently completed a 280-mile trek through the Amazon in six days, staring down jaguars along the way. That’s one way to keep your ticker ticking.
Lego shame of property hacks
Estates Gazette staff were doing some developing of their own this week, albeit on a micro scale. BLP Insurance sent the office 60 Lego bricks with the task of creating the most innovative building design. At this point it’s not clear if the team created a model of a crane or a chicken (it’s too embarrassing to print the picture). Diary suggests they don’t give up their day jobs.
