What is your role at The Shard?

General Manager

How long have you worked at The Shard?

Everyone remembers the day they started at The Shard. I joined over 6 years now on December 10th 2010.

Did the building influence your decision when accepting the job? Do you enjoy working in an iconic London Building?

In terms of London’s key redevelopment projects, The Shard was the hot topic prior to my appointment. It was very early in its construction, back in 2010, but the chance to be part of a team that would shape the operations once it was built was very exciting prospect. I don’t believe you could not enjoy working in such an iconic building, delivering services to a diverse mix of occupiers, visitors and staff in a globally recognised property  is of course challenging, but very satisfying.

What do you like most about The Shard?

The Shard is one of a kind and a recognisable part of the London skyline. It is always lovely to see the excitement the building brings to everyone, especially those that choose to come to the restaurants, hotel and viewing gallery to celebrate some of the most important days in their lives. 

Do you like the architectural design of the building?

Absolutely. The Shard is photographed by people every day, and each photo looks different due to the extra white reflective glass facades. The architect, Renzo Piano, wanted The Shard to respond to the changing sky around it and it certainly does. Having floor-to-ceiling windows on each level is a real benefit for all occupiers. The offices are flooded with natural light and visitors to the restaurants, hotel and viewing gallery get incredible views of London. As I have mentioned, The Shard is one of a kind. Its design has made it a global icon and a beacon for modern London.

Do you have a favourite lunch spot?

The Shard is home to a number of restaurants – aqua shard on level 31, Oblix on level 32 and Hutong on level 33 – all are world-class and visited by thousands every day. The Shangri-La hotel is also home to a restaurant (TING), cocktail bar (GONG) and an artisan deli on the ground floor (LANG) where I often pick up a morning coffee. There are lots of quick lunch spots in the local London Bridge area but to be honest, a Twix on the move is normally good for me at lunchtime.

What time of year do you most enjoy The Shard?

The time of the year I enjoy the most is probably Christmas. We organise occupier events in the building throughout the year, but many activities take place around Christmas time - it is great to see the occupiers socialising together and sharing the festive cheer. The building also hosts a light display in December called Shard Lights.

How does the building affect your job?

Being General Manager of The Shard and surrounding estate, the building is of course a key component my job. Connecting the operations of running the building with a seamless service to our occupiers and visitors is the challenge. It’s a complex set up that needs total commitment, dedication and expert application.

A lot of the building is inaccessible to the public, are there any areas you particularly enjoy having access to?

The general public are able to visit the very top with a ticket to The View from The Shard, the restaurants and Shangri-La hotel, which are all unique spaces, but as the General Manager, I have a very good relationship with all the office occupiers in the building as well and regularly visit. An advantage of this for me is seeing how they all use the space differently and have undergone a variety of fit-outs to suit their business needs. Campari, for example, hosts London’s most exclusive bar as you need to be either on a business visit or on a bartending training to see it, Al Jazeera’s broadcast studio enables them to be live on-air from The Shard every evening, and Gallup have a large reception area and meeting rooms for hosting training and events.

Is there anything you don’t like about the building?

It is a fascinating place, there is nothing that I don’t like about it.

If you left your job at The Shard, what would you miss most?

Without doubt the people. We have an incredible team here that are hardworking and make it a great place to be.