Name: Sean Clemons
Title: Managing director at MGAC
What I do: Lead the UK arm of our global project and cost management consultancy.
Why I got into the property industry: While on a sabbatical in Brazil, aged 24, I realised I needed a change of direction – to have a career that would enable me to have a lasting, meaningful impact on the world. Property seemed like a great way to do that.
How I did it: When I returned to the UK, I went to a careers fair, where a representative from the RICS gave me a directory of all RICS firms. I wrote to every one of them in Sussex saying I wanted to re-qualify as a quantity surveyor and asking if they would they give me a job as a trainee. Eventually, one firm took pity on me. P H Warr gave me a job and sponsored me in securing a post-graduate diploma.
My first proper job: Straight out of uni, I found myself selling mobile phones. The shine quickly faded. This taught me a valuable lesson: you will never be happy trying to sell something unless you truly believe in it.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: It would have to be leading the business through Covid. Overnight, half our sites closed. We had no idea what would happen next. It was a period in which we were constantly re-writing the rule book; adapting to that dreaded term ‘the new normal’. One positive side-effect was the realisation that business can respond and adapt rapidly to changing circumstances.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: I think people believe construction is an industry filled with conflict. My view is that it can be an incredibly collaborative industry. Every day, we are working with a myriad of organisations and individuals to create unique buildings which are then constructed by an army of specialist subcontractors and suppliers. It would be impossible to do this without high levels of collaboration.
When I became interested in ESG: I became interested when I grasped the magnitude of the built environment’s carbon emissions. As we work to reduce the emissions of our buildings, we should hold ourselves accountable and reduce the impact of our businesses.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: I’ve heard the phrase ‘pale, stale and male’ used many times to describe our industry and I’ve experienced walking into rooms where that is exactly what I’ve felt. The people creating our built environment should reflect the people that use it. That requires diversity, which in turn brings diversity of thought, which can only increase the quality of what we create.
What I do in my downtime: I coach my son’s rugby team. Who would have thought coaching a bunch of 12-year-olds could be so frustrating and rewarding at the same time!
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: Pilot.
My advice for someone just starting out: Never shy away from asking questions. We are all always learning.
My motto/mantra: Don’t sweat the small things.
