At Catella APAM, we “dare to be different” and over the next few weeks, we’ll be shining a spotlight on our team members, sharing their unique stories, experiences, and contributions that make Catella APAM an extraordinary workplace. From diverse backgrounds to varied roles, we’re proud to showcase the talented individuals who make up our organisation!
We’re kicking off this series introducing Ian Lester! Ian joined the APAM team back in 2016 and is now Head of Commercial Property Management.
We asked Ian to tell us about his journey at Catella APAM and here is what he had to say:
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗔𝗣𝗔𝗠? At the time, APAM was a relatively new property asset management company. I was looking for a “new home” together with my main client and APAM were looking to set up a property management department. I knew Simon Cooke (APAM’s founder) as he was a former client of mine, and I was invited to set up APAM’s property management department. It was a perfect fit for me as well as APAM.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲? It is so varied that there is really no such thing as a typical day. I liaise closely with the asset managers, facilities managers, client accountants and with our clients but I also like to “get my hands dirty” and deal with a lot of routine day-to-day issues like service charge queries, rates, utilities, arrears, onboarding and offboarding properties, assisting with sales and purchases, inspecting properties and meeting with the occupiers.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿? I like to feel I am making a positive and valuable contribution to society. I can do this by ensuring we provide good working environments to the occupiers of the buildings we manage, that the buildings are well maintained at reasonable costs and any issues dealt with swiftly and professionally.
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗔𝗣𝗔𝗠 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸-𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀? APAM’s staff wellbeing is high on the list of priorities and staff are encouraged to look after both their physical and mental health. There are also many events arranged that staff can join such as the annual ski trip and annual trip to the Lower Zambezi, a book club, wellbeing sessions and there have also been netball teams, 5-a-side football teams and recently a running club! Anyone who is interested is welcome to join any of these activities.
If you would like to learn more about life at Catella APAM and opportunities to join the team, please reach out to Freya Baldrey or Victoria Morgan (nee Mann)!
You can view our open roles, here – https://lnkd.in/e72P4m4S
