Martin Booth is a Chartered Surveyor and Partner with Knight Frank Bristol. He has focused on office agency for 25 years - 16 years of which have been spent in Bristol.
Martin has a long-standing reputation as a specialist in the field of tenant representation, including acquisition work on behalf of occupiers.
Describe your current job and what you enjoy about it most? Is there such a thing as a typical day at work for you?
Office agency on a regional basis, undertaking both acquisition and disposal work on behalf of a wide range of clients. The enjoyment comes from never knowing what the next phone call will bring. A typical day? It’s a rollercoaster ride of emotions with diary changes more frequent than the No 9 bus. Who wouldn’t enjoy that?
What inspired you to go into commercial property?
A favourite uncle who said I’d make a useless lawyer.
What is the best career advice you have ever been given?
No one ever went bankrupt taking a profit.
What is the best career decision you have every made?
Relocating from London to Bristol 16 years ago.
Who has been the greatest influence on your life and why?
My father – a gentleman who could keep his head when all around were losing theirs.
What advice would you give to a young person wanting to go into commercial property today?
Get as much experience as you can as early as you can. You’ll learn more in a month within an office than you did in three years at college.
If you hadn't gone into commercial property what else would you have liked to do?
Without doubt, a golf course architect.
What has been the most exciting moment in your life?
Any parent will understand me saying the moments my two children entered into the world.
As a commercial property professional, what are the main challenges that you currently have to face?
Clients need more support for less fees than ever before. Those that accept this challenge will thrive.
What advice can you offer someone contemplating investing in new offices in Bristol/South West in 2013?
Take professional advice as early as possible. It won’t cost you a penny more and the bloke in the pub doesn’t owe you a duty of care with his profound pearls of wisdom.
What do you feel is the way forward for commercial property and development in the UK?
Like it or not, during every downturn the UK property market moves ever closer to the US and continental models of shorter leases. Landlords must continue to evolve their business models and letting strategies to reflect this.
Any predictions/trends to look out for in 2013 in commercial property?
A steady recovery with relocating occupiers finding there a far fewer appropriate options for them than they first anticipated.
How different is property now to when you started and what changes do you regret/welcome?
Property was once an art. Now, with vast increases in the quality and quantity of information available, property is more of a science. The over-reliance on e-mail is something I regret. A dialogue by phone or face-to-face chat is always welcomed.
What do you do to unwind after a hard week at work?
A cross-country run with the dog, a swing of the golf club or a cheeky Shiraz.
What do you like most about living and working in the South West?
Living "in the sticks" within easy reach of a couple of thriving cities.
Favourite book? The Dambusters by Paul Brickhill (it puts my meagre problems into perspective).
Favourite Film? Without doubt, The Life of Brian.
Favourite meal? A tear-inducing chilli.
Who would you most like to do business with and why? Anyone who understands that the prompt payment of our invoice will be very much appreciated.
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