John burns, chief executive of Derwent London is a popular figure among the property industry’s emerging leaders, but it is the “Ritblats and the Ronsons” and Lord Samuel, the founder of Land Securities whose work he admires the most.
“They were the real builders and just did things with a different style,” Burns said, before also heaping praise on contemporary rival Argent for “creating a destination (King’s Cross) from a place that people were afraid to go”.
Speaking on EG’s Tomorrow’s Leaders podcast, Burns made the strong assertion that Derwent would not be looking to venture too far out of London anytime soon.
“People have often said to us, why wouldn’t Derwent venture out of town, but the truth is we don’t know other markets well enough.
“To do New York for example, well that’s going into the jungle, isn’t it? That will be a tough crowd of real estate experts. I think some of these places are good for holidays but not to put money down.”
Speaking about the workplace culture at Derwent’s Saville Row headquarters, and how the company nurtures new recruits, Burns says he is committed to making himself available to all staff, and encourages younger colleagues to take part in business meetings.
“it’s interesting. A lot of companies don’t like presentations and meetings with investors, but we’re in the reverse. It’s a bit like giving out sweeties when deciding who going to go on this tour and that.”
When asked about any career regrets, he said: “I’d have worked a little harder. I didn’t wake up til I was in my late 30s. I may have been coasting for a time.”
Inside the RICS: New leaders focus on the future
Voice of the Region: Surrey – Better living through technology
On the Case: Views on Tate Modern and visual intrusion nuisance
Bricks & Mortar: Allsop’s Richard Adamson and Ysabella Argentieri discuss the firm’s apprenticeship scheme
EG Like Sunday Morning: Views from afar... and too close
EG’s Office Politics: Michaels and Missions
EG’s Office Politics: The Heseltine Special
Mental health and the planning system
EG Like Sunday Morning: The unliveable truth?
In on the Act: The Leasehold Reform (Forfeiture) Bill
Bricks & Mortar: Nicky Richmond reflects on her career in property law
EG Like Sunday Morning: We’re loving life sciences & resi
Forewarned is forearmed: 2023’s big issues for real estate
EG Like Sunday Morning: See, listen, do in 2023
What remedies are available to landlords post moratorium?
EG Like Christmas Morning: 2022 in review
EG Techtalk: Why partnership matters more than investment
In on the Act: Oliver Radley Gardner KC on the Agriculture Act 2020
EG Cities Live: Leeds and levelling up
Fundamentals of the Future: How to embed the E and S into the corporate G
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The emPOWERed Half Hour
Bank of America Treasury Insights
How I Crushed It
Pharmacy Podcast Network
The Ramsey Show
Planet Money