Neil Anderson is head of estates at Morris & Company in Shrewsbury and he's been in the role for almost four years.
IN ONE SENTENCE, WHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE? Managing Morris and Company’s portfolio of commercial properties - over 200 tenanted units. This covers everything from finding and managing our tenants through to refurbishing, buying and selling properties.
HOW IS YOUR JOB IMPACTED BY FLUCTUATIONS IN THE ECONOMY? Our tenants’ businesses span a diverse range of industries which are all impacted in different ways by fluctuations in the economy – so we are constantly aware and managing new situations.
WHAT’S YOUR VIEW ON HYBRID AND FLEXIBLE WORKING – IS IT STILL NEEDED, OR PRACTICAL? It totally depends on the business and the location as to how appropriate and useful it is. On recruiting recently, I observed that many young people in particular, will only consider a hybrid or flexible format to apply for a job, so that has to be born in mind. Personally, I enjoy the team spirit of working in an office, however, I appreciate times change and we need to be flexible where appropriate and proportionate.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON YOUR BUSINESS? Increasingly it is impacting the property industry. Currently, I am changing to a new property management software system which incorporates Ai. We are on a march…
HOW DO YOU HOPE YOUR COLLEAGUES WOULD DESCRIBE YOU? Calm, fair and supportive - with a wry sense of humour.
YOUR GREATEST STRENGTH IN THE WORKPLACE? My experience. I’ve been around the block!
BIGGEST CURRENT CHALLENGE IN YOUR JOB? Navigating the economy.
YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENTS? My family first and foremost and when it comes to work, I am most proud of having contributed to quality organisations like Morris & Company where I can make a difference. I still very much enjoy coming into work every day.
PET HATES? Intolerance: and there is a lot of that out there!
IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF SOME WISE ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Relax more, enjoy the journey.
HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK? With my family, my children and grandchildren. My wife and I have just bought a house, we both really enjoy design projects so its lucky we have similar taste. Makes for a harmonious finish.
FAVOURITE THING ABOUT SHROPSHIRE? People have real pride in this county and especially Shrewsbury – they love saying they come from this beautiful place.
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM OF CHOICE? I am going to say Instagram if I want to know what’s happening in my children’s lives. And anyway, if I say Facebook, it ages me.
FAVOURITE MOVIE AND/OR TV SHOW? Masterchef on TV and when it comes to movies Goodnight Mr Tom is a real favourite and more recently Devil Wears Prada 2 – I’ve been to see it twice already.
EARLY BIRD, OR NIGHT OWL? Early Bird these days.
DREAM DINNER PARTY GUESTS, DEAD OR ALIVE? I’d go for an eclectic mix to create some good conversation around that table: Sarah Cox, Paddy McGuinness, Grace Dent, Thomas Heatherwick, Grace Jones, and Sir Terence Conran.
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY WOULDN’T KNOW. I have actually been on a TV programme about houses. I bought a show home at the Ideal Home Exhibition in London, a fully-built Swedish eco house, and then rebuilt it on a plot of land I had bought in north Cornwall.
AND FINALLY . . . WHAT DO YOU THINK THE NEXT 12 MONTHS HAS IN STORE FOR YOU, PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY? I’d like to think we could see more positivity and stability in the business world, which is currently so challenging, and personally I’d like to spend more time with my grandchildren. It’s a joy to look after them and then hand them back!
