Leanne Allen

About my job

What does your department do?

The Land Department look to source and present opportunity for the business this is either sourced through land searches, meetings with agents and land owners, or on market opportunities. Another key part of the job is to promote Redrow as a business the sites we are looking for, the areas we are looking in and the product that we want to build.

The department will then look to bid on sites and co-ordinate all the internal information that is needed to fully back a bid so that’s Technical, commercial, sales , planning and financial information. If a bid is successful it is the job of the land team to effectively negotiate the legal and the deal structure and push the deal forwards internally.

What do you do on a day-to-day basis?

My typical day is generally quiet varied which is reflective of the multi-faceted nature of the role. My days typical involve me promoting the business and bringing opportunity business through meeting and establishing relationships with agents and land owners. A typical day will also involve land searches and chasing planning leads to further investigate and source opportunity also look to source opportunity.

I am often putting together offers on a weekly basis this will involve internal co-ordination of the team to ensure that the full technical, commercial and sales information is in place to fully back a bid. Depending on what offers we current have agreed a typical day could also involve legal meetings, contract negotiations, bid meetings with agents and land owners and ensuring settlement packs are in order to process offers forwards.

What do you like about what you do?

There are many elements of my job that I particularly enjoy but one of the most enjoyable is the opportunity to meet new people and establish and create relationships with agents, land owners and consultants. I am a social person and enjoy forming relationships with other people and this is a key part of my role.

I also hugely enjoy deal finding an opportunity that suits the needs of the company and creating and submitting the offer to support the bid. This is an exciting part of the job and every site is different so there are always new challenges and complexities to deal with overcoming these issues give huge satisfaction.

Why did you choose this career?

I joined Redrow in 2011 and enrolled on their graduate scheme. I heard about the scheme via that prospects job website, I was particularly keen to join a company that provided a graduate scheme and enabled the opportunity to develop an understanding of varying aspects of the business. Redrow provided this opportunity in the form of their rotational graduate scheme which enables placements in each of their five departments. I was also drawn the to the quality ethos of the business and the package of support and learning that was offered as part of the graduate scheme.

What qualifications did you need to get this job?

I don’t think there are necessarily any key qualifications needed to be involved in land. What is needed is the ability to form relationships, talk to people, adapt a confident approach and quickly adapt and learn on the job.

I personally have a BA Hon in Geography and a MA in Planning whilst I feel these qualifications have helped me gain my job and supported my growth I do not feel they are essential.

Is there any particular advice you would give to someone looking for a career in your area of work?

I would advise anyone who is interested in working in Land to get some form of work experience in the property sector whether that is at a house builder, a land agent or an estate agent. I would also advise them to keep up to date with what is happening in the markets, what developments are happening in and around the place they live or want to work and see which house builder’s product suits which areas. I would also advise them to network and build their contacts whether that is with people on their currently university courses or people they work with, networking and forming relationships is a key part of the job so the sooner you start this process the better.

Questions & Answers

What hobbies or interests do you have?

My main hobbies are traveling, city breaks and seeing new places. I also really enjoy spending my weekends exploring London whether that be a museum, exhibition, new club or bar. I enjoy going to see live music and dj’s and festivals. I love socialising with my friends. I also enjoy sport going to the gym particularly spinning classes; I also regularly play tennis and squash.

What’s your favourite type of music?

I like lots of different types of music but my favourite is generally electronic music and house.

What’s your favourite film / film genre?

I don’t watch an awful lot of films but one of my favourites is lost in translation-which makes me want to visit Tokyo.

Where’s your favourite place to go on holiday?

Anywhere that’s very hot with clear seas and white sandy beaches.