Name: Jacob Collins
Title: Head of investment, Life Less Ordinary
What I do: It’s a multi-faceted role that includes origination of new development and investment opportunities, debt and equity raising to drive business growth and forecasting and analysis at both project and group level.
Why I got into the property industry: I’d previously worked in finance, but the work wasn’t giving me diversity and autonomy within my role. Real estate is really interesting because it’s diverse, dynamic and about people and how they interact with space and buildings.
How I did it: I went back to university and did a masters in real estate finance at the University of Cambridge .
My first job in property: It’s this one, with Life Less Ordinary.
Proudest moment: Getting promoted to head of investment in January after two years of working within this role at Life Less Ordinary.
My biggest screw-up: Not getting into real estate earlier.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: That real estate is easy to master. In reality, it’s complex and brings new challenges with each and every development opportunity together with the continually evolving market and regulations.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: Planning which remains largely unpredictable, complex and protracted.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: At Life Less Ordinary – seeing the outcomes of the significant changes being made today to drive the business’ ambitious growth plans.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: I would be a musician. I achieved a grade eight qualification on the trumpet at a young age and continue to enjoy playing it.
My advice for someone just starting out: It’s 50% job role and 50% fit – you can’t have longevity without both.
