Name: Alex Dawson
Job title: Founder and director, Alex Martin Commercial
What I do: Commercial agent specialising in E-use, F1 and F2 (faith, nurseries and SEND schools).
Why I got into the property industry: I wheeled and dealed at school (started with sweets, ended up with bootleg tapes). I wasn’t academic. I was encouraged to do a career suitability test and the four options that came up for me were the army, police (I was too small for that), tax man or estate agent. My mum introduced me to a surveyor who told me being in property wasn’t such a bad idea, so I took a punt.
My first proper job: My first job was work experience with a firm called Savoy Stewart for six months. Then I went to Houston Lawrence (when they opened their Battersea office), which was my first taste of working in agency. The salary was sh*t, but it was great to be in the industry.
My first big break: Although I floundered academically at school, I went on to get a degree in land management, where I felt I could compete. The degree enabled me to get something solid on my CV, and only three people from my year group went on to get jobs in the industry, as there were no jobs going at the time.
My inspiration(s): Richard Kalmar, my first proper boss, taught me the art of giving staff complete freedom, which I give to my team today. Support them, be real, don’t pour rank on people – just give them the right advice and be fatherly where possible. I also worked for Terry McMillan. He brought ‘no-box thinking’ into my world and taught me the art of being yourself.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Having had my first child when I was very young in the industry (I went on to have five children), I struggled on my wage at the time, so I left the industry to get into IT recruitment and went a bit wayward with life. I knew I had to get back into the industry, so I secured what would be a good job at KALMARs Property. I put my head down and worked really hard (my maturity curve), and within a year I was offered a directorship and given complete freedom. I did good business for them and was rewarded for it. My role was as their ‘decentralised office agent’, which basically meant industrial, retail and offices within my patch.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Having found more places of worship for faith groups than anyone else – I’m looking forward to fast-track VIP at the Pearly Gates. Alex Martin Commercial is now number one in the sector we serve (E-use, F1 & F2). I’m super proud of the journey we’re on, not least that we’re getting instructions from all over the country, having grown from our base in and around the M25. But of course, my family is my biggest personal achievement.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: I deal with a lot of people who don’t understand property. Many think, “we can just go and find a building”. They don’t realise most deals are available before they ever enter the market. Our sector is niche and nuanced, and is so relationship-driven. It’s a very tight network – you don’t need many contacts, but you have to know who’s who, provide expertise and demonstrate your value. What I love about this industry is that you don’t have to be super academic to crack it; you need good instinct and street smarts. It’s more about personality and passion – people skills.
My biggest bugbear about the industry / the one thing I would change: The planning system is broken. Everything is just held up, which is so frustrating as it’s such a major part of the economy. Solicitors can be jobsworths. They’re there to facilitate deals after a landlord has instructed them because of the desire to let or sell the building – so why hold up a deal? I understand their role is to protect the client, but the main goal should be to make things happen. Second bugbear: West End agents. Perhaps I have a small chip on my shoulder as a South London boy without the airs and graces, but I see these agents being given great instructions on a silver platter, and perhaps they lack the grit and entrepreneurial spirit that exists elsewhere.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: We look at individuals for their character, grit, wit and enthusiasm for what we do. Our team epitomises that.
Why I’m so passionate about ESG: The very nature of our business – taking defunct, unloved, derelict old community buildings and bringing new communities and a new lease of life – is not only great for the environment, but a social boon for any local area.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time, career-wise: I will always work – I love what I do too much – but maybe not as much on the shop floor. I want to see my team grow, with more people underneath and ideally another office further up country. However, I still want the business to retain its ‘tight family’ feel, so there’s no desire to grow too big. In five years’ time, I can comfortably predict we will be the primary go-to for faith, education and nurseries – and to crush our competition with kindness.
What I do in my downtime: My family. Seeing them together brings me immense joy, from the toddler to my 29-year-old! My goal is that me and my five children all do more activities together. I want to help them with their careers, help them get on the property ladder, and generally see them get on track in life. I love a podcast (we record one at AM). I support West Ham (despite it being extremely difficult right now). I enjoy podcasts about global politics, finance and sport.
Dinner party wish list: Robin Williams – for every reason you can think of. The most entertaining, kind, belly-achingly funny and decent human being you could have wished for.
The job I’d be doing if I wasn’t doing this: Despite my colourful and chequered youth of wheeling and dealing, on the obverse I would probably be a policeman. I’m naturally nosy, I care about people and, at heart, I like to do good.
My advice for someone just starting out: Be true. Work hard. If you work hard, put yourself out there and are not lazy, I can guarantee opportunity knocks. When anyone’s paid me a salary, I’ve always respected the fact that I was being paid. Employers and colleagues recognise enthusiasm and effort. It’s easy to take a salary; it’s hard to prove your worth – and that’s where all the value lies.
My motto/mantra: I’m a big believer in karma. I put an optimistic spin on everything and it comes back in a positive way. You really do generate your own luck. You can’t win everything, but you’re always winning from learning. Staying positive is the key.
