Head of Property - Commercial

Opportunity Brief:Head of Property

Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Group) are a leading Executive search firm to the UK, North American and European Engineering, Technology, Sustainability & Heavy Manufacturing industries.

Our search directors, search consultants and research teams specialise in all horizontal functions of our clients' organisations with expertise spanning engineering, commercial, procurement, HR, IT, finance, HSQE, sales, projects, operations and c-suite.

We are trusted by over 100 leading organisations when they seek to make a leadership appointment, be that a permanent appointment or an interim solution.

We have been retained and appointed by Greater Anglia on a retained search for a Head of Property, a hands-on Commercial professional who can create and implement a strategy for the commercial property portfolio to maximise Ancillary revenue opportunities and manage the contracted relationships.

Below you will find an opportunity brief developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between the Business Manager and Managing Consultant of Ford & Stanley Executive Search and Asset Management Director of Greater Anglia. This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification.

Client Opportunity Statements:



Due to an imminent retirement, we are looking for a strategic commercial property professional to pick up the reins from the current incumbent and drive financial and performance targets through our property portfolio

With a diverse portfolio that includes 134 stations, 7 train maintenance depots, 2 offices, and 75 car parks you will be responsible for optimising lettings, investments, purchases, partnerships and property management, to drive revenue opportunities across the network. While also looking after GA s regulated leases, corporate offices and leased staff accommodation

You will be joining an executive team that has a strong culture of delivery and will be empowered and have the autonomy to make decisions and guide the business on a strategy that meets the business needs today and into the future

Company Overview: Greater Anglia

Greater Anglia is operated by the Transport UK Group. Our parent company also operates the East Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, West Midlands Railway and the Merseyrail concession, West Midlands plus bus services in London and Surrey. Abellio East Anglia Limited has been appointed by the Department for Transport to operate services until 2025.

Greater Anglia s promise to its customers:

We believe that when you travel with us, or think of travelling with us, you should expect high standards of service throughout your journey experience.

As such, Greater Anglia will:

• As a priority provide you with a safe, clean, punctual and reliable train service
• Make it easier for you to buy tickets with the introduction of more facilities
• Treat you well and fairly when things go wrong
• Keep you informed about services, any planned changes and during disruption
• Let you know our performance and quality targets in advance, and report each period how we are doing
• Listen to you and engage with you more

Historically, GA has been a healthy, profitable and premium-paying franchisee performing well against its customer, financial and contractual measures. This strong performance and commitment to continuous improvement was maintained throughout the pandemic emergency contracts and the National Rail Contract (NRC) - and was recently recognised with GA being named Passenger Operator of the Year at the National Rail Awards 2022.

Furthermore, as well as delivering an entirely new fleet of trains and investing significant capital in the largest TOC-delivered infrastructure change programme the industry has ever seen, GA returned to being a positive net contributor to the industry s finances in 2022, as a result of excellent operational performance, customer service, revenue generation and cost management activity.

Challenges expected within the first 12 months include:

• GA are currently going through a retender process for the Car Parks which will need to be embedded and managed.
• Ancillary Revenue is established but there is a need to continue to develop the ancillary opportunities across the portfolio to maximum revenue.
• Towards the end of the year, GA will be transferring ownership to the DFTO this will involve working with the franchise team to ensure that the property agreements are transferred correctly.

Key deliverables within the first 12 months include:

• Taken a full handover from the current incumbent and ensure nothing is dropped and high standards are maintained.
• The Car Park contracts has been embedded and managed correctly while also looking at other opportunities to maximise revenue opportunities
• Demonstrate that you have built strong relationships across the business and with external stakeholders.

Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience)

Experienced commercial property professional with at least 15 years of experience working within a varied/broad property portfolio environment

Member or Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Contract management experience able to undertake complex contractual negotiations (new lettings, lease expiries, rent reviews, station change, leases to facilitate project access) with other occupiers and/or their agents.

Proven experience in prioritising workloads and making decisions - able to manage your time effectively

Desirable: Understanding of the rail industry and rail legislation.

Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours)

Engaging both externally and internally, strong communications skills, able to communicate across all levels

Detail-orientated and process-driven ensuring work is done the right way

Have the ability to remain calm under pressure, think on their feet and able to handle various situations

Working Arrangements & Location:

We expect candidates to spend 2 days in GA HQ (Holborn, London), and the remaining days remote or on-site across the network

Greater Anglia Interview Process:

• 1st Stage interview: Face-to-face interview at GA HQ in London, conducted by Simone Bailey, Asset Management Director & Tina Viswambaran, Resourcing Manager
• 2nd Final Stage interview: Face-to-face interview at GA HQ with Simone Bailey and another member of her leadership team.

Ford & Stanley Interview Process:

• 1st Stage: Candidate Discovery: An open, conversational and consultative discussion where interested candidates are assessed on their suitability for the role in the context of the above and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, financial expectations and personal circumstances.
• 2nd Stage: The shortlist : Candidates are asked to reflect on the candidate discovery discussion, take time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the client business reporting back on their thoughts, questions and providing additional specific information on their suitability (if applicable). Final checks of role, package and logistical alignments made.

Good to know:

• Greater Anglia is a Train Operating company that runs the train service across the East of England and is currently owned by the Transport UK Group.
• GA parent company also operates the East Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, West Midlands Railway and the Merseyrail concession, West Midlands plus bus services in London and Surrey.
• Transport UK East Anglia Limited has been appointed by the Department for Transport to operate services until 2025 when it will transition back into public ownership.
• The Head of Property will oversee the company s real estate portfolio and involves maximizing commercial leasing and revenue opportunities while meeting operational needs. The Greater Anglia estate includes an FRI Head lease with 134 stations, 7 train maintenance depots, 2 offices, and 75 car parks generating £18 million annually, along with a commercially let estate producing over £6 million per year.
• This position is 1 of 9 direct reports that sit in the Asset Management Executive leadership team.
• Has 1 direct report contract management administrator
• Candidates should have proven experience in managing diverse assets and skills in prioritising workloads and making decisions on Opex, Capex, and regulatory compliance, along with the ability to manage sensitive internal and external stakeholder matters.
• This role will lead and develop the property team, creating and implementing strategies to achieve the financial and performance targets through optimising lettings, investment, purchases, partnerships, property management and customer service.
• Key responsibilities include:
• Lead the business planning strategy for Ancillary revenue (Car parks, property, advertising and Taxi ranks) and production of the business plan. Provide accurate budgetary information and periodic income forecasts, taking into account turnover rents and sales trends for inclusion into the business plan.
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