1 What are your views on the current state of the property and property development markets? Hardly original, but lack of confidence is the dominant theme. The house builders are back in business, but it will be some time yet before we see any speculative commercial development. 2 What are the key challenges and pieces of legislation you think will most affect your sector over the coming months? To persuade lenders to be more open-minded. The National Planning Policy Framework is set to change the way we all think about development. 3Why do you think Yorkshire is a good place to do business? Compared with the south east, it's a small place really and it's amazing how often there turns out to be a mutual connection even with a complete stranger! 4 What is your favourite building/development in Yorkshire and why? Leeds Town Hall - because I often wonder what its reinstatement value might be! 5 If you could improve anything in the region what would it be? Road congestion. 6 What barriers have you had to overcome during your career and how have you overcome them? There were plenty of those during the few years when we were owned by a financial institution. I overcame them by being part of the team that bought the business back! 7 What was your first job and how did you enter your current line of work? I was the last person to be articled at Dacres when I joined straight from school. Like many, I had no idea what I wanted to do as a career so my parents sent me down to London for what would now be called psychometric testing which told them that my only hope was to become a Chartered Surveyor! 8 What do you most enjoy about your job? It's still got to be the kick you get from doing a deal, hard work though it is just at the moment. 9 What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given? If you don't know the answer to a question, say so. Never guess because you are likely to be wrong. 10 And the worst? "Take your driver and you'll clear the water hazard easily"!