Andrew Hynard answers my questions...

Back in the days when Oxford Brookes University was known as Oxford Polytechnic, Andrew Hynard graduated with a degree in Estate Management. Today he is Chief Executive of Howard de Walden Estates, the London Family Estate which owns 92 acres of Marylebone, including Harley Street and Marylebone High Street. Prior to that he was UK Deputy Chairman of JLL the global real estate advisory firm. He returned to Oxford Brookes University in 2013 to be presented with an Honorary Degree (Doctor of Science) for his contributions to the property industry. He also agreed to be the first of our alumni to take part in the Q&A slot for the blog...

1. When you were at school, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

It seems like hundreds of years ago! I actually left school in 1978 if that helps. Rather sadly, I always wanted to be a Chartered Surveyor ( just like my father )

2. What did you study at university or college? 

Estate Management at what was then Oxford Polytechnic

3. How did you find your way into Real Estate? 

As mentioned, it was really through familiarity of the profession through my father – I liked the idea of not being desk bound.

4. What interests you most about the subject? 

It covers such a range of areas from rating to building surveying to commercial and to residential, and across all geographies.

5. What is your favourite building and why? 

The Shard by London Bridge in London. It is an iconic skyscraper which epitomises the visionary nature of London developments over the past decade or so. Oh yes, I should mention that my former firm, Jones Lang LaSalle is letting agent!

6. What is going to be the next (two) big things in Real Estate? 

The evolution of on-line shopping and the role that huge distribution warehouses play in supplying goods direct to homes. They are in effect enormous stores without windows or shoppers. And the acceptance that owning your own home is no longer the holy grail. More and more people are now renting, and they have an increasing range  and improving quality of property and landlords to choose from.

7. Outside of work, how do you relax? 

Lots of sport – squash, golf, cycling and getting together with family and friends. I am a great follower of the Olympics having attended London 2012 and Rio 2016, and cheered Oxford Brooke's Chancellor Katherine Grainger over the line

8. What is your favourite word? 
Epitomises

9. Why did you decide to mentor a student? 
I was fortunate that I had family in property and therefore knew how to approach my career post University. For those students who don't have connections to the industry, a mentor can make a big difference and really help. I had such a positive experience at Brookes that I am more than happy to put a little back, and I really enjoy engaging with tomorrow's property stars.

10. Have you benefited from the experience?
Absolutely. Apart from it being an enjoyable and fulfilling thing to do, I have been kept in touch with the current thinking at Brookes, how firms are going about recruiting graduates and the the students themselves.

11. Would you recommend mentoring to other alumni?
Definitely. It is a super way to keep in touch, meet dynamic and motivated young professionals, and to maintain a link with one of the best universities in the world !

Andrew is an active member of our alumni society, OBREMS and is also mentoring one of our students this year, as part of the Real Estate Mentoring Scheme.