Luke Smith

Employer: Leicester City Council
Qualifications: BSc real estate management, Nottingham Trent University

After university I saw a job advertised in the local paper with Nottingham City Council doing real estate work. Although I had originally wanted to work in the private sector, I knew that the public sector offered better experience and training.

I was keen to become chartered and to gain as much experience as possible so after 18 months I moved to my current role with Leicester City Council, which was a step up. I have just become a chartered surveyor and I think this is in part because of the excellent opportunities offered by smaller teams and earlier responsibility offered in the public sector.

My job

I’m based in the property services department in a team of around seven people. I give general property advice to both internal and external clients on acquiring and disposing of land or property. For example, another department might want to sell a piece of land so I’ll handle the sale for them – valuing the land, organising the sale and attending the auction.

I also deal with new lettings, negotiating new leases, renewals and lease rent reviews as well as general tenant/councillor enquiries. My portfolio is currently around 70 properties. My external clients tend to be small businesses such as shops, takeaways or newsagents. I am based in the council’s offices but I am normally out meeting clients or seeing properties at least two or three times a week.

Highs and lows

I enjoy the interaction with other people and the flexible working hours – it’s useful being able to finish early or come in late. Paperwork is my least favourite part of the job and sometimes the bureaucracy of local government can be frustrating as it creates barriers to more modern ways of working.