Head of Commercial Property & Asset Management Graham Pepper describes his department as a ‘Cinderella’ of the surveying world, but the 50-strong team’s work can take them to film sets and hanging out with Hollywood stars. Graham, Kurt Richards and Elizabeth Taylor give their take on the market and insight into their work with TV and film companies.
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ISSUE 02 | February 2023
“Essentially you are standing in the shoes of a client and performing and acting in their best commercial interests to create value and to keep winning that next instruction.”
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Graham Pepper: Occupiers are focused on mitigating costs, whether that is via rent review, business rates assistance, or surrendering a lease to move to smaller premises. For landlords, it’s similar, finding ways of offsetting liabilities on empty space.
Kurt Richards, Partner, Cambridge: There is phenomenal appetite from commercial occupiers wanting to be in Cambridge. Well positioned landlords are capitalising with climbing rents and increased occupancy.
Elizabeth Taylor, Senior Surveyor: and the same goes for the public sector too. With the current challenges, they are looking to reduce costs and maximising the value of their property assets.
Kurt Richards, Partner
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Graham Pepper
020 7518 3231
EMAIL GRAHAM
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Behind the scenes of star studded work
Read more:
On the right tracks
Energy efficient buildings
Mind The Gap
Strategic property advice needed
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“Thinking about how something might be received and what options you are giving that person will put you one step ahead in any conversation.”
Kurt Richards
01223 751113
EMAIL KURT
Elizabeth Taylor
020 7518 3255
EMAIL ELIZABETH
How would you describe the property & asset management market currently?
Kurt: Surviving the onslaught of rising occupational costs whilst still trying to invest in greener ways to operate to stay on track with net zero carbon targets.
Graham: I think the return to the office is still a question for some occupiers. If you’ve only got 15 people in the office, the energy consumption from heating and lighting is still the same as if it was fully occupied.
What is the key challenge for occupiers and landlords in 2023?
Elizabeth: We work for Hertfordshire County Council agreeing and facilitating film licensing for filming and parking for the production base – trailers, catering etc. Traditional occupiers are like an oil tanker, and film production companies are like jet skis; they are fast-moving and agile, it’s immediate, short term and requirements change quickly. It’s a great way of offsetting holding costs and expenses for landlords with empty space.
Graham: Landlords are sensitive to what type of filming goes on at the property, and we’ve had filming stopped because of the subject matter, even after it was signed off.
You work with film & TV companies, how does that differ from other clients?
Elizabeth: I haven’t yet but have been assured it will happen, and I’ve promised I won’t fangirl when it does. Famous names we’ve had shooting at locations we’ve licenced include Jodie Comer, George Clooney, Ian McKellen and Gemma Arterton. We get Apple TV, Netflix, Amazon and the BBC all using properties for filming.
Have you met anyone famous?
Kurt: The work is very diverse, and we get to do a bit of everything. Essentially you are standing in the shoes of a client and performing and acting in their best commercial interests to create value and to keep winning that next instruction.
Elizabeth: Ask to shadow an asset manager to understand what they do. We’re the closest thing to a GP in property, so it is varied.
Best advice you’d give anyone looking at property and asset management?
Kurt: Place as much emphasis on energy, drive and passion for your chosen career path as you do on trying to achieve good grades at university. Candidates who come across as motivated and driven stand out.
Elizabeth: Do more work experience as you can't really have too much of that.
Graham: Remember there is a reaction and consequence to what you say. Thinking about how something might be received and what options you are giving that person will put you one step ahead in any conversation.
What career advice would you give your teenage self?
Graham Pepper, Partner
“Traditional occupiers are like an oil tanker, and film production companies are like jet skis; they are fast-moving and agile, it’s immediate, short term and requirements change quickly.”
Elizabeth Taylor, Senior Surveyor
Photography taken with thanks at At The Movies, Marylebone.
At The Movies is an independent London based dealer specialising in original vintage and contemporary film posters.
atthemovies.uk
@themoviesuk
info@atthemovies.uk
ISSUE 02 | February 2023
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