Meet our expert - Rupert Cullen
What is your role at Colliers?
I’m a National Director of Colliers Real Estate Management Services and the office asset class Director in Canberra. We specialise in buildings over 10,000m2 with large federal government and corporate tenants. Managing over 500,000m2 of commercial office space across Canberra, we ensure our managed properties provide the best possible customer experience when people interact with the built environment, through the seamless provision of amenity, services, and compliance. This allows the enjoyment and use for people, culture, and commerce.
What do you love most about your job?
The crew - its powerful and exciting to work with a group of people that understand the role we play in the business. Also, our ability to be entrepreneurial - The way we think about and find solutions for our clients, and drive innovation into the wider Colliers business.
What was your first job?
I grew up on farm, so I had plenty “jobs” to do ever since I can remember. My first paid job was being a roustabout in the shearing shed - they were long days and I my vocabulary expanded ten-fold in the first two days. I then went on to try a few different things (much to my parents’ frustration!) before I discovered property management back in 2004.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Advice gets thrown at you every day, some of it’s good and some is at best misguided, so you need to wade through it with an open mind. The thing about advice – it must come from a place of trust and compassion. A couple of things I remember are:
What three things are still left on your bucket list?
Heaps of things to do and COVID-19 has definitely brought some focus to the list. For me right now:
What is something you collect – by accident or design?
I’ve got a random collection of rocks from the top of different hills and mountains I’ve climbed (more hills than mountains). Ben Nevis, Snowdonia, Mt Ngauruhoe, Mt Kosciusko, Mt Sinai, Lantau Peak, Picos de Europa.
领英推荐
If you could wave a magic wand and fix one issue facing your industry and clients what would it be?
The introduction and centralisation of an annual compliance certificate or building warrant of fitness for commercial buildings. Tens of thousands of people enter commercial buildings every day, their safety is paramount, and the current system don’t necessarily provide the correct checks and balances.
Do you have a favourite charity you wish people knew more about?
We support Live Ocean, which provide support to ocean research and champions oceans health. I grew up on and around the northern coast of New Zealand diving and fishing and I’ve seen first-hand how pollution levels affect marine life and the ocean around the world.
?
What is your biggest career achievement of the past 12 months?
Getting the team and business through COVID-19 – it was definitely the biggest challenge I’ve faced as a leader. Some things I did well, some things I wish I had my time over.
?
Greatest personal achievement in the past 12 months?
Getting exercise back in my routine – very important for how I see what’s in front of me.
?
What is your hope for the next 12 months?
?
Favourite sporting team?
All Blacks – ever since I can remember. Although ETNZ and the Black Caps get me out of bed at all hours of the night, and proof that a star team beats a team of stars.
Head of Finance, Leadership, Strategy, Team Mentorship, Collaboration
3 年A true expert!!!