Meet the Team

Back to meet the team

Managing Director

Robert Cole

BSc (Hons) MRICS FAAV

Explain a little bit about your role and how it benefits clients

I am very fortunate to now lead a business which I grew up in as a chartered surveyor having starting as a graduate in 1994. After 30 plus years at Mather Jamie I have seen some considerable change both in the way we do business, but also in how we interact with clients. The concept of a Zoom or Teams call with multiple people from the four corners of the globe when I started would have seemed far fetched.

Clients are our life, and the close friendships I have enjoyed over the years are illustrative of the culture and privilege we enjoy as Directors and how we do business.

What has been your most memorable career highlight or achievement?

I was appointed as a Valuation Expert on a development valuation dispute and for a day and a half cross examined by a leading QC at the time during an Arbitration in the International Dispute Resolution Centre on Fleet Street.

Not for the feint hearted.

What’s the best part about your job / working at/ for Mather Jamie

The best part is leading an amazing team of men and women who share the same DNA in terms of work ethic and integrity. We work hard and play hard and I will always be unapologetic about that.

What aspect of planning/property legislation would you change/want to introduce if you were PM?

Steam lining and properly resourcing our local planning departments and county highways.

There are some positive messaging contained in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill so lets see how this translates into law.

How do you think the UK will meet its climate change targets by 2030?

I think this will be a struggle, the take up of EV cars is down considerably and the messaging coming out of the USA at present has set back the climate agenda considerably. It seems that those most wed to climate change targets by their actions are the most uncompetitive in a world trade position, so this will always remain a challenge.

What is the best lessons you’ve learned in your career so far?

Treat everyone with the same respect.

Encourage everyone around you to be the best that they can be.

Always employ people brighter than you are.

Don’t always do what you have always done.