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Fri 29 January 2021
In our latest ‘a day in the life of’ we’re very happy to introduce you to Darren Pape who joined Andrew Granger & Co’s professional team as a valuation surveyor last year as part of our Leicester office.
In what turned out to be an extraordinary year we’re very glad to have Darren on board.
What made you chose this industry and area of work?
I thought my ‘career’ path was mapped out for me and that when I left university, I would work for my Godmother’s firm which manufactured and imported brush ware. It would have been the easy option, but it didn’t stimulate or challenge me. A conversation with my hairdresser (I had more hair then) convinced me to pursue a different path and I went back to the University of the West of England to gain an RICS accredited master’s degree so that I could sit the Assessment of Professional Competence and become a Member of the RICS. My undergraduate degree was in Urban Development and Planning, which incorporated several valuation and development modules that piqued my interest in property.
How does your working day start?
For me, the first thing is to make a pot of coffee or, if I’m awake early enough, a pod coffee advertised by a well-known actor. I’ll happily drink two or three cups of coffee before breakfast.
What can a typical day involve for you?
Once I’ve made that coffee, I’ll log in to the company network and progress some of the work I have to do. I like the satisfaction of getting on with the day before the family are awake. Once the children are up, I’ll get breakfast for us and get ready for the ‘office’ hours that lay ahead. I can either be in the office dealing with enquiries and writing reports or inspecting properties for survey and/or valuation purposes. I tend to log off at 5.30pm (ish) to spend quality time with the family around dinner time before going for a ride or run. After that it’s time for a shower and log back into clear the Inbox ready for tomorrow.
What do you like most about your job?
Every day presents a different challenge, some days being more challenging than others. Being in the car gives me the opportunity to reflect on what I’ve seen and also to prepare mentally for where I’m going, or what I’m going to be doing, next. It comes with the added benefit of being able to listen to Radio 2, especially if it’s Popmaster with Ken Bruce although a good score for me would be around 15.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
Trying to please everyone all of the time when the reality is that you can only please some people some of the time. It’s human nature to try to help people, which often means juggling instructions rather than completing jobs in a chronological order, as well as balancing transactional work with less time critical jobs.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
I started cycling in 2010 and enjoy being on the road with nothing else to think about for 50 or 60 miles although it is far too easy to focus on the road ahead without taking in the beautiful countryside around me. I have to remind myself sometimes that it’s not about the miles or the Strava segments but about enjoying the freedom. I’ve recently started to enjoy running, something that I’ve previously tolerated but am now thinking about a half marathon or perhaps a marathon.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
I like the peace and quiet of early mornings and late evenings. Nothing beats the feeling of finishing a job before the everyone else is awake but burning the candle at both ends means that, for the time being, I’m a night owl.
Andrew Granger & Co’s professional team offer a whole host of property services from property valuations and surveys, property and estate management, through to development appraisals and project management. You can find out more at https://www.andrewgranger.co.uk/pages/professional or by calling the team on 0116 242 9933.
