Josie is the Property Graduate in ABP and is currently in her second year of the programme. We spoke with her while she continues her placement in Southampton to find out the projects on which she is working.
"Working in the property sector at a port is quite niche for a property professional, and during my short time at ABP, I have already covered more areas than I could have ever imagined. The role of property at ABP is diverse, encompassing various functions within the department.
Firstly, there is Master Planning, which involves strategic analysis of the land to fully understand the best possible use in all areas of the port. Next is asset management, where the focus is on reviewing our current property assets and matching them to existing and or new tenant requirements. Similarly, development management involves redeveloping sites to achieve new requirements from existing tenants or new requirements from a new tenant. Finally, estate management deals with overseeing current tenants and the buildings they occupy.
Ultimately, the goal of the property sector is to maintain a strategic overview of a site and achieve the highest possible outcome for us and for our tenants, whether that involves managing existing tenants, developing the site, or refurbishing buildings.
Have you always worked in property?
After finishing university, I worked in an estate agency, and I really enjoyed it. I have a passion for property and appreciate its various uses and the complexities it can present. However, I found that residential property management can be limiting. Since joining ABP, I have quickly realised that commercial property management focuses on unlocking new uses and requirements tailored to specific occupants. One of the best aspects of working in property is that I'm always learning whether it's about new regulations, laws, processes, or advancing my journey toward becoming a Chartered Surveyor.
You have worked in property at different ports; how do they vary?
"The Humber focuses on heavy industrial sectors like oil, agricultural bulk, liquid bulk, and energy, while Southampton specialises in cruise, cars, and containers; the two are quite different with very different commercial property requirements."
What are you working on at the moment?
"I am currently working on a property located on West Quay Road. This project is quite interesting since it is an industrial unit off the port, which is more typical in commercial real estate compared to the other property projects I've handled in the Humber region. I am developing the collateral ready to market the property and reaching out to our local and national property agents to help promote it."
If you would like to find out more about the graduate programme, or the property team, please email [email protected]
Click the links below for the available properties at ABP Southampton.
West Quay Road
Unit B5 Marchwood Industrial Park
