Talking with… Hamish Smales, Associate Director, Rural and Projects, Newcastle

We talk to Hamish about International Men's Day, which takes place next Tuesday, 19 November, his career to date and his passion for rugby.

Why is International Men’s Day important to you?

It gives the opportunity to bring the issues surrounding men’s health and mental health into the spotlight. For men in particular, mental health is becoming an ever increasing area of concern. International Men’s Day is a good reminder that there is always someone who will listen, and should act as a prompt to men to feel confident to open up, but also for others – both men and women – to check in and make sure colleagues, friends and family members are okay.

Tell us about yourself

I work out of the Newcastle office in the Estate Management Team at Associate Director level. Outside of the office, I am a rugby referee, operating in the top tiers of the domestic game in England and Europe. Refereeing took over when I realised after playing in the Championship for Cornish All Blacks that I wasn’t going to be the next Chris Ashton. The RFU were looking for players who had played at a reasonable standard to take up refereeing and that’s where my journey began. From there I was fast-tracked into the PGMOT (Professional Game Match Officials Team) as a Consultant Assistant Referee (CAR), yes rugby loves an acronym as much as Surveying.

It has then taken me all over the world from Cape Town to Cornwall and Dubai to Hong Kong as well as being involved in the top levels of the game with the best seat in the house.

I grew up on the family farm West of Newcastle and I’m currently taking on a barn conversion project to enable me to move back up to the farm so that I can keep my 30 chickens company.

What’s your greatest achievement?

Hopefully, the house build if/when it gets finished but in another lifetime I managed to represent England Men’s rugby 7s…

What’s the most useful advice you’ve ever received?

It doesn’t have to be perfect but get it done right!

Tell us about your career to date

After attempting (and not quite succeeding) to become a professional rugby player, I tried my hand at sports agency and then latterly stumbled into rural surveying back in 2015 and built up my experience. Following five years at a North East regional firm, and after qualifying as a Chartered Surveyor, the opportunity to join the Savills Newcastle team presented itself via Carolyn Deane and I haven’t looked back.

I now manage a mix of both Institutional clients including Durham Cathedral and private clients. My role involves the strategic and day-to-day management of their assets which range from quarries, to solar farms, farm business tenancies and ground rents as well as a few allotments.

With such a diverse client base and their properties, there is never a day that is the same.

What do you enjoy most about your job and why?

The variety of work and not knowing what is going to come across your desk every day.

What advice would you give to someone just starting a career in the industry?

If you don’t know the answer someone around you will and people are always willing to help.

How do you maintain a good work-life balance?

With difficulty. There are times when things get out of kilter, but I always try to allow myself the opportunity to reset, switch off and get some time away from everything that is going on by turning off technology and getting out into the countryside.

Do you have any hidden talents people may not know about?

I used to sing in my local choir and have released an album as part of a school brass band.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

The south of France, so I can practice my pigeon French and be close to the alps and the Mediterranean.