Meet the Team: Alex Reid, Commercial Director at Mather Jamie
05/06/2025
As part of this month's 'Get to Know the Team' feature, we're shining the spotlight on our Commercial Director, Alex Reid.
Explain a little bit about your role and how it benefits clients
My role primarily advises clients on property disposals and acquisitions for both Freehold and leasehold commercial property with detailed local knowledge of the property market built up over the last 30 years primarily focused on Industrial and Warehouse properties.
What has been your most memorable career highlight or achievement?
Sale & Leaseback of owner-occupied campus site of 70 acres with 674,000 sq.ft of warehouse space.
Acquisition of new office headquarters for Speedo at NG2
Are two that stand out.
What’s the best part about your job / working at/for Mather Jamie
Strong team effort focused on delivering quality service for clients.
What aspect of planning/property legislation would you change/want to introduce if you were PM?
Streamline planning policy and educate planners so their starting point is to promote quality commercial development to deliver growth and much needed economic activity and community wealth rather than approaching form the point of view of stopping development which is too often the stance. Fundamentally the planning system is too unwieldy and under resourced in both quality and numbers of people in the system.
Has there been a ‘structural shift’ in the way that we occupy the workplace? Has this had an impact in occupier’s requirements for commercial properties?
The explosion of the internet over the past 20 plus years has led to a fundamental shift in the commercial property market driving huge demand to online retail increasing the need for warehousing space in number and size of buildings needed in the UK especially on the major road networks. There remains a strong need for high quality Industrial manufacturing space especially around hubs of engineering expertise that we should be supporting as part of UK growth and economic outlook.
The rise of the internet and ongoing advancements in technology have significantly influenced traditional office work patterns, enabling greater flexibility in how and where people work. This has led to more dynamic use of office space. However, the importance of physical, collaborative environments remains critical. Such spaces foster teamwork, innovation, and the reinforcement of organisational culture. While some individuals perform exceptionally well in remote settings, maintaining strong productivity and focus, others may find it more challenging due to domestic distractions or competing responsibilities. In these cases, a regular presence in the office can be beneficial in supporting individual performance and enhancing team cohesion.
What is the best lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
To always be truthful to our clients and customers has always been a mainstay of my approach and to deliver on your promises even if that means giving parties bad news is far better than trying to hide behind others. Grasp the nettle!
What is a fun fact about you that others may not know?
Other than being a keen Mountain Biker, Skier and regular Yoga student I once played Charlie in Charlie & The Chocolate Factory to full audiences for 3 nights running it was however my first and last starring stage role.