A Brief Encounter with ... Ged Cox, Director at Astins Developments Limited

 

Ged and his team are currently working on a brand new development of luxury apartments on Goring seafront called 'Aurora'. Land & Brand New Homes are happy to be working alongside Astins Developments on the Sales & Marketing of the properties. It's to be a truly fabulous selection of just seven apartments with a unique beachfront location.

 

Read on to find out more about Ged Cox, at work and at play ...

 

Q: What would you consider your biggest achievement in your career to date?A: Setting up Astins Developments from scratch with my business partner and getting our first scheme through planning (albeit at the second attempt!)

 

Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: I like the sense of achievement of walking away from a completed project knowing it's going to be there for at least 50 years and in various ways having some impact on others' lives. I still enjoy walking past projects I was involved in 25 years ago.

 

Q: What do you least like about your job?

A: Poor service and a "couldn’t care less" attitude you sometimes get from suppliers, subcontractors and other service providers. If my entire supply chain provided the sort of level of service I receive from the local Audi garage I use, I would be a very happy man.

 

Q: What motivates you?
A: Challenge and problem solving.

 

Q: How do you motivate your staff?

A: Working towards a common goal and a shared sense of achievement when it is reached.

 

Q: What was your first job?

A: Believe it or not I was training to be an optician, then I saw the light!

 

Q: Which business man or woman do you most admire?
A: Probably the much cited Richard Branson because he's not afraid to try something totally new or challenging and completely outside of his comfort zone. Just imagine the reception he received when he announced to his friends and colleagues in the music industry, that he wanted to start an airline business. A true entrepreneur.

 

Q: What is your favourite holiday destination and why?
A: It’s got to be New Zealand for the beauty and variety of its scenery, strong culture and the passion of its proud people.

 

Q: Describe how you spend a typical weekend off?
A: During the summer, either camping and generally chilling out with a nice glass of red in our 1971 VW camper, toiling on our allotment or if I’m very lucky sailing. In the winter it's more likely to be DIY of some description.

 

Q: How long have you been in the industry?

A: 25 years (just realised this is my silver jubilee!) The majority of this time I had a commercial role with a number of the major main contractors on large office developments, shopping centres, airports and the like.

 

Q: What's your favourite food?
A: I can never turn down a nice juicy steak with a good bottle of red.

 

Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Sailing, walking, DIY, our allotment and camping

 

Q: What's more important, work or play?
A: You need a balance of both in order to appreciate the other.

 

Q: What do you feel is your company's USP?
A: Our people. We are also very flexible and customer focussed. Having purchased 2 new homes myself in the past, I know the industry often under-delivers in terms of customer satisfaction.

 

Q: What skills and knowledge do you pride yourself on?
A: I’ve been fortunate to have gained a wide range of experience across the whole of the construction industry over the last 25 years, but the great thing about this industry is you never stop learning and my skills and knowledge are constantly improving. I'm a great believer in continuous improvement and "management" meaning improving and developing a business not merely "running" a business.

 

Q: Where do you feel your company is placed in the current market place?

A: Reasonably well although I believe we will all face considerable challenges in the next 2 to 3 years. We've been careful in our selection of project and purposely ensured that we're not over-exposed in terms of land bank holding or number of developments. Being a relatively small company, one of our strengths is being flexible and able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. I believe this will place us in a strong position when conditions improve.

 

Q: What subjects did you enjoy most at school?
A: Mostly the extra curricular ones!

Q: What has been your biggest regret?
A: I don’t think I have any major regrets yet although there are some things I wouldn’t do again!

 

Q: What guests would you invite to a dinner party?
A: Chris Evans (always guaranteed to entertain), Geoff Lloyd (an excellent Virgin radio DJ, chosen for the same reason), the Scottish comedian Frankie Boyle, and my wife Michele. We may not improve our understanding of philosophy, politics, arts and science, but we would have an excellent evening.

 

Q: What music do you listen to?
A: A very wide range including Bruce Springsteen, Robbie Williams, Billy Joel, Chill Out, Suzanne Vega etc.

 

Q: What do you think of reality shows like The Apprentice?
A: I generally watch very little TV, but The Apprentice is one of the few programmes I do watch regularly. I enjoy the mix of competition, commercial and management skills, together with the diverse and contrasting personalities all mixed together in a stressful environment.