Chris Harrap

Name: Chris Harrap
Employer: Lambert Smith Hampton
Area of work: rating
University: University of Newcastle upon Tyne, law

Working at an international property conference

When I joined my firm in December 2005, I never envisaged that four months later I would be working in Cannes at an international property conference. I was one of four graduates selected from across the UK to support senior directors at MIPIM 2006. This week-long event brings together property professionals and investors/developers from a wide range of disciplines and 74 countries. It promotes networking between different property markets, holds seminars and presents keynote addresses on recent sector trends and developments. There is also a large property fair to showcase business opportunities. Graduates at our firm were asked whether we’d like to help for the week and, once I had checked with my director that my workload allowed it, I applied for a place. I’m not sure how they picked the graduates but I soon found myself on Cannes’ famous ‘Croisette’ strip along the seafront.

A mini adventure

I hadn’t met the three other graduates before because we were all from different regional offices and departments but we bonded well. Our role was to highlight the firm’s presence at the event and support our marketing department so that everything ran smoothly, assisting in setting up events and ensuring they had the right materials at the right time. We also made certain our delegates were at their required venues in good time. One of our tasks was to drive three Minis, signwritten with the firm’s livery and logo, along the seafront. Colleagues attending client events received positive feedback about the cars and it’s great to know our efforts were well noted. The main advantage of attending the event was the opportunity to further develop client-facing skills. I deal with a variety of different client organisations in my day-today work, and MIPIM highlighted the importance of being aware of who you’re dealing with and how they fit in the scheme of things.

Spending time with senior colleagues

I also spent a lot of time with senior colleagues from all around the firm, including directors of our London office and our CEO. I’ve probably met these executives earlier than I would have done otherwise; it’s great to be able to put faces to names and get myself known around the company – hopefully for all the right reasons! Although Cannes seemed a far cry from my work in the rating department of our Leeds office, I used many of the same skills. I work across retail, office, industrial and land sites for a range of clients so I’m used to being responsive to client requirements. In Cannes, we had to be flexible and ready to respond at a moment’s notice, and dealing professionally with colleagues and clients was essential. The week was hard work, but nevertheless a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I look forward to returning some time in the future.