Meet the Team - Euan
Our co-founder, Euan, is well known across these parts, not least for his eye-opening Friday Flashbacks which always spark nostalgic debates on LinkedIn.
But to kick off our series getting to know the Euan Kellie team a little better, and before he sets off for warmer climes in Cannes next week, we have put him in the hot seat to answer a few questions about the origins of Euan Kellie Property Solutions and what makes him tick.
So, Euan, what led you to set up the business?
Well one thing is for sure; it wasn’t part of a well-planned strategic move on my part. After becoming one of the property sector’s many casualties during the 2009 financial crash, I had the headspace to step back and consider my next move.
I kept myself busy by writing a book, ‘Rebuilding Manchester’ – a long held ambition of mine – on how Manchester rebuilt itself after the IRA bombing of 1996. It was the perfect project because not only did it ensure I kept learning and developing my interest in this fantastic city, but it gave me a reason to interview Manchester’s big influencers of the time, including Sir Richard Leese and Sir Howard Bernstein, along with Lord Michael Heseltine.
I also took the opportunity to train as a RICS Planning & Development surveyor, complementing my planning qualification and giving me a broader appreciation of the property sector.
Fast forward another 12 months, and the outlook across the sector was turning more positive. It became increasingly clear that there was a growing appetite for planning advice and it made sense to take the plunge. Without meaning to, I had created my own job and Euan Kellie Property Solutions was formed.
It didn’t feel like it at the time, but it’s true what they say about hindsight. My sudden exit from the scene in 2009 really was the best thing that happened to me in my professional career.
Casting your mind back further, tell us a little about life before Euan Kellie Property Solutions. What have been some of your work highlights?
I’ll have to cast my mind back a fair bit to remember the start of my career - it’s been 25 years since I started my first role at Warrington Borough Council! I learnt a whole lot over those three and a half years, but the number one thing was the importance of communication. A planning officer’s role is hugely complex, and they’re tasked with managing different perspectives, both internally and externally, so listening is a crucial skill. Respecting the pressure that officers are under is something I’ve held highly in my career ever since.
I also had the career-expanding experience of working on the planning application for the 48-storey Beetham Tower in Manchester city centre back in 2003. It was an insanely intense, high profile project and taught me everything I know about being responsive, managing stress and staying ahead to get things done under pressure.
And for something a little leftfield: during a summer break while at university, I operated amusement rides at ‘Pirates Fun Park’ in a tiny little town called Salisbury Beach on the east coast of America. It was a surreal experience but it taught me a lot about how to deal with day-to-day challenges, and I still consider it one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life.
What sets you apart from your colleagues?
Does it sound bad to confess I thrive best when things are going wrong? When a project’s going well I can find myself wondering what’s around the corner, but when things go wrong you’ve got to act and find a solution. I work well under pressure.
I’m a doer, and I thrive when I’m getting stuff done and pushing myself as hard as I can. I want to see progress, every single day. Whether that’s something big like a long-awaited planning permission or having a positive conversation that helps a project move forward or removes a barrier.
I’m a strategic thinker and enjoy mapping out the big picture strategy. I love using my experience and network to help unlock sites and situations.
What makes Euan Kellie Property Solutions different from its competitors?
I think it’s our determination to be responsive and stay focused on making things happen. We absolutely hate letting people down.
Whether that’s helping local authority officers or clients, we’re always proactively looking for how to solve problems. If you come to us, you get a senior team who can lead things and get things done.
For us, it’s important that there’s a name – my name – above the door, so to speak. There’s a responsibility there to do a good job and I, in particular, am more than willing to ultimately own that responsibility.
Tell us about your perfect working day
It would have to start with a session at the gym to get the adrenaline going. Then it would have plenty of variety and plenty of meetings. I am not a desk person !
What else keeps you busy at work?
Over the past decade I’ve delivered lectures at numerous universities, including Manchester, Salford, Sheffield, UCL and even Wayne State in Detroit. Becoming an external examiner for the University of Manchester’s planning course was a pleasure and a surreal experience as it required me to assess my old lecturers!
I’ve also sat on the Places Matter design review panel and given various talks and interviews on Manchester’s rebirth and growth after the 1996 bomb.
What do you do for fun?
Outside of exercise I love reading and listening to podcasts. I’ll devour anything that expands my mind.
What have you got on the go at the moment?
I’ll chew through a book as quickly as I can, both fiction and nonfiction. I’m reading a brilliant Michael Lewis book at the moment about the crypto currency venture. Fascinating stuff.
Euan will be at MIPIM in Cannes from 12-15 March. Get in touch to catch up with him.