Today on the Blocktalk Podcast, the podcast for the property management industry, we are joined by Neil Watt, Chairman of Hacking and Paterson. Neil joined the company in 1982, was appointed to the Board, four years later in 1986 and subsequently became Managing Director in 2008, going on to be appointed as Chairman in August 2019. Neil is a former Director and President of the PMA, has served as a Director of the British Property Federation, and continues to be actively involved in providing guidance and input to Scottish Government and other regulatory bodies on the requirements for continued and improved maintenance of the country’s housing stock.
In this episode, Neil regales tales from his 40+ years in the industry, looking back at the history and how the industry has changed...and how it hasn't. This is a fantastic conversation with an industry veteran who has seen it all—from the early days of property factoring, where relationships were built on a handshake, to the complex, highly regulated environment we navigate today. Neil shares insightful anecdotes, lessons learned, and the challenges he faced along the way.
We also dive into the future of property management, discussing the evolving role of technology, client expectations, and the importance of maintaining a personal touch in an increasingly digital world. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, Neil's stories offer valuable wisdom and perspective on where the industry has been and where it’s headed next.
Whether you're a seasoned professional or just curious about the industry, you won’t want to miss this conversation on how property factoring is set to evolve in the coming years.
On the show:
02:00 PMAS Lifetime Achievement Award - leadership/management style evolved over the years and why.
08:40 Over forty years in the industry - history about the industry, and how it has evolved over the years.
18:55 Scottish Parliament Tenement Maintenance Working Group - insights you can share about how that is moving forward.
29:35 Biggest risks facing the industry.
32:20 Biggest opportunities for the industry.
40:21 Where do you see the industry in 2030?
46:00 Tell us something about you that people would be surprised to learn?
Find out more about Neil here:
https://www.hackingandpaterson.co.uk/about-us/our-team/neil-watt/
The Blocktalk Podcast is hosted by Brian Welsh and produced by the CPL Software team. CPL Software are software partners to property managers and produce the Blocktalk podcast to support our partners and the industry.
