EDITOR’S COMMENT It will come as no surprise to anyone reading this that I am a big champion of change. Of fresh blood coming into the industry, to new and alternative viewpoints and to a different-looking layer of leadership.
But as another veteran of the industry decides that enough is enough and that, come 2021, they fancy taking a step back from the day to day of real estate, I just can’t quite shake this feeling that we might be losing a layer of vital expertise and experience. A fear that we could be losing all of those people who have been through numerous recessions and tough times just as we are about to go into another major recession and some of the toughest times we have ever seen.
Martin Samworth (pictured), possibly one of the nicest men in consultancy, this week announced his intention to step down from CBRE after almost four decades. Samworth has been part of the agency giant since joining St Quintin as a graduate in 1983 and was so ingrained in the business that if you cut him, I’m convinced that his blood would run green.
Over 37 years he has seen the agent grow through acquisition, has himself advised on billions of pounds’ worth of real estate M&A activity, has travelled many thousands, maybe even millions, of miles around the world providing advice and gaining insight into global real estate trends, and has been a people leader and, to quote one Jackie Sadek (who never minces her words), a “great boss”.
Samworth and those other veterans who have left or are leaving the industry have something unique to offer, particularly in tough times. While they may not add to the diversity and inclusion debate we are having right now in terms of gender, skin colour and background, they do bring a diversity of experience to the workplace. They provide for the next generation – those people under the age of 30 – an understanding of how to work through hard times, along with a calmness to the fears so many young people must have as we wander somewhat blindly into the next great recession.
The collective knowledge of those who have seen it all before will be invaluable as we head into an unknown 2021 and beyond, so as much as I proudly wear the chief-drum-banger-for-change badge, let’s do our best to hang on to the lived expertise of those who have weathered a few storms.
It is an overused phase, particularly in these times, but out of adversity comes great opportunity. But that opportunity is easier to seize if we have understanding to fall back on. If we have great mentors who can at least share a “last time” story. We don’t have to, and probably shouldn’t, do exactly what we did last time as we navigate the next storm, but having someone who at least can read the map and remembers where the rocky bits are is definitely a benefit.
I have no doubt that the likes of Samworth won’t disappear from this sector completely, and I hope that they will share the lessons they have learnt not just with those coming up through this industry but with other sectors too. Real estate may still have much to learn, but there are many individuals within the sector who have skills and knowledge they should share.
Register for the EG Awards
I am writing these words propped in front of a green screen in central London as we film (under strict Covid rules, of course) this year’s EG Awards. If you tuned in for our Tech Awards, you’ll have an idea of what to expect on 29 October – although we do have a few more surprises up our sleeves.
While I’m gutted I won’t get to interact with everyone at our big bash, I’m very excited at the prospect of being beamed onto your computer screens and celebrating with you in our virtual bars.
Come and join the party – for free – and hang out with me, the EG team and your peers for a bit of light relief and congratulatory behaviour in this funny old world by registering here. I’ll see you there.
To send feedback, e-mail samantha.mcclary@egi.co.uk or tweet @samanthamcclary or @estatesgazette
