With almost two decades’ experience in the industry, Neil Herron joined GRE Assets as Technical Design Manager in March 2021.
Having previously worked for the likes of Perkins+Will, Artillery Architecture and Interior Design and Lee Evans Partnership, Neil has a strong understanding of property in both the UK and the Middle East, which will be beneficial to his role at GRE Assets.
In this interview, Neil explains more about his past experience, what his new role as Technical Designer Manager involves, and what he’s most looking forward to working at GRE Assets.
What experience do you bring to your role?
I am a UK registered architect with 18 years’ experience managing projects and design departments in the UK and the Middle East. I’ve been fortunate to have worked on a wide range of schemes from the on-site delivery of small restaurant refurbishments right up to high-rise commercial towers.
I have a technical bias when it comes to design, so my career has been steered towards project delivery – either through the design stages or as part of a site team.
What does your role at GRE Assets involve? What projects will you be working on?
The Technical Design Manager role has two sides to it: design management and site supervision.
I work with consultants, subcontractors and suppliers to ensure that coordinated information reaches site in line with the overall project programme. After the plans are finalised and the work commences, my role switches to site supervision where I review the in-progress works for compliance with the coordinated design.
Initially I’m working on the Riverside Park project in Ashford but the role will expand to other exciting projects as GRE Assets develops its Kent portfolio.
What are you most looking forward to at GRE Assets and what do you hope to achieve?
I look forward to working with the site team. I spent a couple of years on site while working in the Middle East and I think it’s the best place to learn. Things are always fast-paced so you see the results of decisions quickly. I enjoy problem solving and have an analytical mind, so I look forward to creating new ideas and opportunities to improve design and how it is implemented on site.
Like most architects I want to play a part in the development of an exceptional portfolio of work. GRE Assets has some bold ambitions for its developments, and I hope to be able to push their pursuit of high-quality designs further.
Connect with Neil on LinkedIn, here.
