Ryan Chandna, Associate within the Workman Property Management team, tells us about his additional role as Leader of Workman’s Race Ethnicity And Cultural Heritage (REACH) Employee Network, and the progress achieved so far.
What three words describe Workman?
Specialist, collaborative, and involved.
What has been your standout moment at Workman so far?
Becoming a chartered surveyor in May 2019, and the support received from a variety of colleagues to assist in the preparation.
How do you put your skills to their best use on Workman projects?
Following a recent acquisition of a retail park from an existing client, I was required to use a combination of skills that I have picked up throughout my time at Workman. This involved a review of the existing contracts and onboarding of Workman approved suppliers, creation of property management action plan, a review of the existing inherited service charge budget, and drafting of new budget of our findings, alongside liaising with various stakeholders on matters such as historic environmental matters.
Tell us about your role as leader of the REACH Employee Network, and why you feel this is important to the firm?
I joined the REACH Employee network as I thought it was something I could contribute to based on my own experiences. My role is to support those in my group and ensure our group meet regularly, alongside making sure everyone is aware of the discussed assigned actions and timescales. Then ultimately we share our ideas/recommendations to Frances Hardcastle Brown in her oversight role. And in turn, we communicate back to the group any feedback or actions from collective Employee Network group meetings, as well as ensuring they are well represented. Initially as a group we had to consider a mission statement and objectives, which helped form a base thereafter to work towards. I think this is important to the firm as gives current employees a voice for positive change that they actually want to see and helps retain and attract talent.
And what difference do you believe this kind of approach can make to the industry as a whole?
I hope it can inspire the next generation and have an impact on more people joining the industry knowing that it is diverse and welcoming. And more importantly Workman.
What more could the industry be doing to make change happen?
I think it stems from employers understanding their employees to make change that suits an array of different cultures/beliefs that shape our day to day working life’s.
What change would you make to a single aspect of the wider property sector and why?
Requirement for a certain percentage of women and a certain percentage of people of colour to be represented within the management boards of property firms.
What are your spare time pursuits and how do they feed into your role at Workman?
Some of my spare time pursuits include playing tennis, boxset binging, gaming, and spending times with friends and family eating out. This all helps me to wind down in between work.
What is your favourite building worldwide, and why?
At present I would say One World Trade Centre, New York. The 365-degree views were amazing – New York is my favourite city and I look forward to returning.
What first led you into the property industry?
The realisation that everyone uses different types of property each day throughout their daily routines; from where they live, to where they visit in their spare time. This was the best college brainwave I had when browsing for university courses.
What three dinner party guests would you choose and why?
I would choose:
- Jurgen Klopp, to cover all things Liverpool FC
- James Gandolfini’ to talk about the greatest TV series of all time (The Sopranos) and
- Joe Rogan, I’m a regular listener of his podcast so I know he would be a very interesting guest, and an insightful voice to direct the conversation.