RICS Business catches up with Chris Thorpe, Head of Business at Atkins Property and Surveying in Warrington, in the north west of England.
Q. Can you describe your job?
I am responsible for the development and growth of the ‘Atkins Property and Surveying’ business in the North West.
I manage a multidisciplinary team of approximately 40 professional staff consisting of chartered building, quantity and general practice surveyors, mechanical and electrical engineers, programme managers and planning supervisors.
I am responsible for acting as a client interface at senior management level and for developing new client relationships.
Q. How does a typical day pan out?
The day starts with checking my emails, and from that point every day is different.
A major part of my role is managing the multidisciplinary teams, and it is usual for me to meet with the heads of department on a regular basis.
A large proportion of my time is spent in relation to existing and new client development, which involves forming bid teams, producing proposals and getting out and about to see clients.
I am responsible for the financial performance of the business and therefore have to keep a close eye on all things financial. My day ends with mapping out my tasks for the next day.
Q. What is the most interesting aspect of your work?
My recent promotion has meant a very steep learning curve over the last 12 months and I do like the variety of working on technical issues, dealing with people, interacting with clients and carrying out financial management work.
Q. And the most challenging?
I have learnt to prioritise work more effectively. In the role that I am now in I have to be very good at multi-tasking!
The most demanding parts of my role are ensuring that everything is fitted into the working day, that tasks are delegated in an efficient manner and that there is a team approach to everyday business.
Q. What made you decide to pursue a career in property?
From the age of eight, after completing a project at school on Sir Christopher Wren, I always wanted to be an architect.
After undertaking work experience while at school and college I fortunately saw the light before it was too late and decided that building surveying was the better option for me!
Q. How did you get to this point in your career?
During my sandwich degree course I undertook a placement with Atkins.
I had a very successful year and was offered a graduate position on completing my degree. I went through the company’s structured training programme and achieved chartered status at the first attempt.
I have since been fortunate to have been given opportunities to move into a senior management position, which is where my particular interests lie.
From my experience, I feel it is quite unusual to have been able to progress my career with the company that I joined straight from university.
Q. What is your greatest achievement?
Securing and successfully managing the delivery of major surveying commissions for the Environment Agency in a number of regions across the UK.
Q. Which project has given you the greatest satisfaction?
There are lots of projects from which I have derived a great deal of satisfaction – one of the advantages of working for an organisation that deals in lots of different markets.
The one project that stands out is the refurbishment of an office building for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in Great Yarmouth, which I used as my APC project.
That was challenging because of the need to keep the building operating as an emergency service while the works were undertaken.
Q. What are your views on RICS?
I believe that RICS has moved into the 21st Century, but we all need to focus on attracting young people into the profession.
Although a great deal of headway has been made I feel that RICS needs to work more closely with key recruiters and lead the way in maintaining a three-way interface between RICS, universities and surveying practices.
Q. Do you have a favourite building?
Yes – St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
This article appeared in RICS Business, May 2006.
