Meet the team: Andy Carr, Facilities Manager
Getting started at Portland
“It’s fair to say time has flown since I joined, but that’s great. It’s a sign that we’re busy, but its also down to the first class team we have here – it’s been a very enjoyable experience!
I’ve managed to meet all the clients and visited all the properties in my portfolio completing risk assessments of all ticking off the boxes of what needs doing.
In terms of Tenants, I’m a first point of call so that’s always interesting. More often that not the initial call we be followed by a site visit to see if I can resolve the issue.
Today, we had a leaking pipe, where I went over, turned the water off and had an engineer on site within an hour. Yesterday, it was a cabling issue but I was able to safely rectify the issue without the expense of an electrician. Trying to solve problems is an important of our service we provide. Health and safety is always paramount but we would never simply hand off problems without trying to see if we can solve them first.
If we can save time and money for clients and tenants, we will.”
Before joining Portland…
“I was in the Royal Corps of Signals for 22 years working mainly in telecommunications and progressed to a senior rank.
What that mean is I was managing the guys doing the work, managing the telecoms and the assets. This was both in the UK and world wide operations including Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
It’s very different terrain but there’s a lot of synergies between the projects, skills required and processes with property management – Health and Safety is paramount at both.
I knew what the portfolio looked like before I came here so there were no surprises and we have got plenty of work on. It’s great to be back in this field of work.”
What does your day look like?
“I pretty much know what’s coming up over the next two weeks so in that sense the days a pretty well planned out.
That said, being first response for Client and Tenant issues means we have to create the tie to manage and delivery on the issues that arise daily.
It’s about getting to know the properties, getting to know the clients and to an extent tenant. Once you have a good feel for the whole picture you can really start to deliver quality.”
Goals for the next six months
“To continue the way we have started would be great! In reality that means all compliance and Health and Safety must be inline with any risk assessment issues prioritised and delivered. As well as working more closely with the Landlords, and when the need arises, Tenants.
We are getting there, but it takes time and the relationships are developing nicely.”
