Tony Martin from Caxtons, turn for our questions!

We're in September, Summer seems a distant memory but it's time for our 10 questions with one of our favourite clients… We spoke to Tony Martin who works for Caxtons Chartered Surveyors and posed 10 questions about industry and life. Here’s what he had to say...

How long have you worked within the Block Management industry? 

13 years

How did you come to work within the Block Management Industry?

I had worked for a Tenant Management Cooperative for 10 years previously which was very similar

What makes a good Block Manager? 

You have to be a good ‘people person’. Buildings are straightforward to manage, but people less so! I often say that as Block Managers we tend to be jack of all trades, but masters of none.

IRPM or not? 

Yes

Block for life or is there something else you fancy doing career wise? 

Block for life, but perhaps in a different location, such as Cornwall!

What do you do in your spare time?

Play 5-a-side, go to music gigs and create drone videos.

If you were given a million pounds right now, what would be the first thing you would buy? 

A house by the sea in Cornwall.

Name something that is on your bucket list 

To travel around America.

Tell us about your best job interview 

The job I have now (Caxtons). I instantly felt welcome and knew I would be ok.

Tell us about your worst job interview 

My first ever job interview was my worst interview. I was just 16 and it was for an administrative assistant role at a firm of solicitors. Whilst waiting, I sat in the corner of a very plush office and it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I happened to notice that all the staff were wearing whistle’s around their necks which I thought was odd. My interviewer was a young chap who could sense I was nervous and deliberately left long pauses after my answers so as to intimidate. It turns out the whistles were used to highlight mistakes. For example, if someone left the photocopier lid up, you were expected to blow your whistle and point at the mistake! Fortunately, I didn’t get the role, but I still think about it to this day. The staff must have been a nervous wreck!