Patrick Wright is a Project Director with a career spanning 20 years. Having worked with leading International Property and Construction Management companies, Patrick is currently with Johnstaff, a diverse management and delivery practice in Sydney.

Patrick took time to sit down with us as part of our 10×10 Series to discuss his career, personal insights and future industry trends.

1. Tell us about your career, and how you got started in the Real Estate sector?
I started working for Chesterton International in the west end of London in early 2000 as an Asset Manager looking after pension fund property portfolios. Chesterton International were advocates in the value of RICS general practice surveying and we were rotated every few months through all departments including Building Surveying and Quantity Surveying.

2. How has the sector changed since then?
Similar to most other industries, the impact of technology has transformed the sector. These days you are expected to cover so much more ground, and projects, in the same amount of time.

3. What is the latest project or development that’s made you take notice?
I am a generalist in terms of project experience but have spent the best part of four years working in the NSW Registered Clubs sector and the re-development of Canterbury League Club. I was also fortunate to work alongside a team delivering the re-development of Harbord Diggers.

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“Harbord Diggers has transformed the operating model for Clubs and demonstrates the level of diversity that we are now seeing within them. There really is no land uses that are off the table at project inception.”

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4. Based on your experience, what do you think will happen within the sector over the next five years?
Although I was raised in the UK, I am a big believer in the fundamentals and culture of Australia since the day I arrived.  We are living in a highly desirable location and it will remain so for people wishing to call this country home.  I can only see further growth in the size and complexity of projects. Sustainable practices will also increase as we try to mitigate the human impacts on the planet.

5. How important is diversity in the workplace and do you have any advice for employers?
Wherever I have worked regardless of the size of the business, taking a familial approach always seems to produce the best results.  Families look after one another no matter the circumstances and have to learn to respect each other.

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“Diversity is a naturally occurring phenomenon, something that should be wholeheartedly encouraged in the workplace.”

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6. What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in your current role?
As part of my role, I have to mentor several people, lead projects through different phases and source a variety of new projects. The constant challenge is communication and changing the means of communication to suit the audience.

7. How did you overcome the above challenges?
Practice makes perfect as they say.  I liaise with colleagues, industry peers and try to further educate myself as much as possible.  Like many people, presenting to large numbers of people can be daunting but the more you do and the better prepared you are, the better the results.

8. How do you find and retain talented professionals?
Every business would like to source new employees through word of mouth but that is not realistic, particularly in large organisations. I prefer dealing with people on an exclusive basis; where I can I like to give one Recruitment firm a brief and let them run with it.

9. What is the most important characteristic a Project Director needs to be successful?
Approachable!

10. Tell us about someone you admire and why…
My Dad as he’s always done it his way and you have to admire his self-belief.

Patrick Wright is a Project Director working within the Sydney team of Johnstaff.

Get to know Patrick by connecting with him via LinkedIn.