What do you do at MRG?
I work within the Estates and Facilities Management team within MRG – heading up and working with further education colleges and multi-academy trusts. My specialty is placing estates, facilities, and operations management professionals (which incorporates a lot of different types of roles!) in an interim, contract or permanent capacity
What are you most proud about what you have achieved in your career to date?
I’ve had a few highs across my 20-odd year career and quite a lot of things that I am proud to have achieved. A couple that come to mind is being solely responsible for running part of the largest public sector contract in the UK (Department of Health), more recently its building the sub-sector here at MRG, bringing new clients on board – developing relationships with candidates and clients etc
How did you get into Facilities recruitment within education?
I’ve always been around the education/public sector and FM recruitment throughout my career and prior to working at MRG I looked after two of the largest inner-London Colleges, that is where I started to get more and more involved with FM recruitment side. Moving to MRG I put all my education knowledge together with MRG’s track record – and here we are!
What energizes you at about working in Facilities Management and the public sector?
I think it’s the variants that the world of FM and the public sector brings. On the base of the FM sector, it seems pretty straight-forward. But over time I have started to get really involved with almost the sub-parts; security, contract mobilisations, health and safety, sustainability etc – it’s really interesting to me. When you couple that with the public sector it only increases that. Different buildings, different environments, people, budgets, projects – it can be hard work but quite fun at the same time
How has the Education estates sector changed since you started your career?
Technology and process has caused the sector to change and evolve. I think the biggest change is how estates and FM is viewed within the education, and public/private sector as a whole. With what has been happening in the world over the last 18 months, people have realised the role that FM and estates are integral to an organisation, be that the health and safety, cleaning, operations, working from home set ups etc. FM and estates are integral to all of that. Its no longer viewed as someone who just comes out to change lightbulbs or unclog toilets!
What do you think the biggest misconception people have about you is?
I think it’s how long I have been in the recruitment industry. When I tell people that I have been doing this for 20 years, they almost seem a bit surprised? Maybe it’s my youthful appearance… maybe
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
When I was younger (about 11), I was electrocuted on a fairground ride at Butlins (explains a lot)
What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you?
In life, one of the best pieces of advice that someone has given me is: “you never know what someone is going through, so be nice”
In a work sense, it would be “never assume, as it makes an ‘ass’ out of ‘u’ and ‘me’”. This translates as basically never think that you have got a job nailed on, the best candidate etc – always check, double check, triple check everything
What three words would your colleagues use to describe you?
Positive, Friendly, and talkative (and that’s being kind)
And finally who would play you in the movie about your life?
Leonardo Di Caprio – as I think he has the range of acting skills to navigate through the complex script which is my life!
Get in touch with Rob for an informal chat about how he can help you and your recruitment needs.