Thoughts on Boris’s new job (and my own)

EDITOR’S COMMENT: It must have been something I said. Just days after I stepped into the deputy editor role here at EG, Sam McClary headed off on holiday. Well, I won’t waste the opportunity – and the platform – this presents. I’m delighted to have joined a team and a publication that I’ve long admired. Yes, yes, that’s exactly what you’d expect me to say, but even from the outside – I was most recently writing for Dow Jones’ Financial News – I’ve long known the important role EG performs in this sector. No regular reader will need convincing of the team’s commitment to chronicling the big changes and challenges facing businesses right across the built environment. I’m honoured to join that effort, especially when EG is so active in pushing to drive much-needed change itself through initiatives such as the excellent Future Female Leaders project. As I settle into the new role, I’m keen to hear from readers any comments or suggestions that you might have. My number is 020 7911 8506, or you can e-mail tim.burke@egi.co.uk. Now, as much as I’d like to think otherwise, there is of course another individual with, perhaps, an even bigger new job that will be occupying your thinking. Given the depth of scepticism elsewhere, and his colourfully dismissive remarks about business previously, I was surprised at how upbeat property executives were on Boris Johnson’s election as the new prime minister when we canvassed opinions this week. There were caveats and caution, sure, and the new PM’s handling of Brexit and that impending Halloween exit date will loom large over all else. But nonetheless, there was optimism to be found in Evans Randall Investors chairman John Slade’s talk of a possible “Boris bounce” in the property investment market, or Jonathan Harris of Harris Associates suggesting that Johnson could give the real estate industry the “spark” it has been missing. This must be that can-do attitude that Johnson told us we’d all been so sorely lacking, the one that put a man on the moon. You just need to believe more, etc. Then again, maybe there are good reasons to feel hopeful. Some property players argue that Johnson “gets” this industry a little more than other leaders have – Harris cheered the former London mayor’s consistent attendance at MIPIM as mayor, for example. And as Sam noted last week, high-profile appointments such as Homes England chair Sir Eddie Lister as his chief of staff should reassure the property industry that Johnson will have someone nudging him in the right direction on matters close to its heart. It’s true that others, privately, worry more about the type of Brexit that is pursued. One investment agent told me this week: “I don’t think anyone can say what they actually think unfortunately. It’s going to get very ugly, very quickly now. If we crash out the occupational piece will dry up as will the resi piece. No market, no fees, no jobs.” So given how quickly events on the political stage can change, let’s take nothing for granted. Palmer Capital chief executive Alex Price for one has no qualms about sitting on the fence for now: “[Boris] will probably be one of the best or the worst prime ministers in my lifetime. I just wish I knew which.” To send feedback, e-mail tim.burke@egi.co.uk or tweet @_tim_burke or @estatesgazette