Name: Gavin Gleave
Job title: CEO and founder, fu3e.
What I do: I am the chief executive and founder of fu3e. – the real estate software platform for funds, owners, developers, and consultants to manage risks, costs and milestones in real-time. We provide tailored tools and resources to help clients maximise their ROI and stay ahead in a competitive landscape. In my role, I take great pride in leading and supporting a team of exceptionally talented individuals, solving problems and making decisions. I set standards and strategize, manage investor and customer relations and guide the business in achieving its goals.
Why I got into the property industry: A combination of personal fulfilment, legacy creation and lifestyle aspirations. Throughout my career I have always enjoyed seeing results – when a development is completed, the touch and feel of it.
How I did it: I have been involved with developments around the world, helped many individuals in their careers and found great pleasure in seeing them grow into successful leaders. This includes my three sons, who now work with me at fu3e. I have always been interested in digital software. Being very process driven and observing people’s overreliance on manual processes, I was inspired to provide a solution built ground-up for high-touch business.
My first proper job: Executive director at Morgan Lovell.
My first big break: I’m still looking for it!
My inspiration(s): My wife, Sarah, and my staff who are hungry to learn, innovate and drive results.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Finding exceptional people – supply and demand. I am fortunate enough to have found a team of them.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Starting fu3e. and watching business leaders and peers see the true value in it. It’s the “proof of concept” I had many years ago in my mind, turned into reality.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: It’s easy to make money.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: People not making decisions and not open to change, especially at executive levels.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: Everyone should have an equal opportunity. It doesn’t matter where they come from or want to be, they must have “self-awareness” of their actions and the impact this might have on people.
Why I’m so passionate about ESG: I have four grandchildren, so I am a little fearful of what they, and future generations might be faced with, and what the true impacts are going to be. With the emergence of AI and social media, knowing what the truth of our world is actually and where we are all heading is difficult to comprehend.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: Part-time (down to five days a week!) and a mentor/advisor to young people and entrepreneurs. I’d like to share some of my experiences, observations, and offer encouragement and guidance.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: Mohammed Ali and Robin Williams.
What I do in my downtime: Fitness, watch sport, look after my grandchildren and do as little as possible that I can get away with.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: Something in professional sport or real estate funding.
My advice for someone just starting out: Get your business foundations right, be careful of “little red riding hood,” and listen and learn from your mistakes. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. And celebrate your wins.
My motto/mantra: There’s always a solution.
