In our latest Meet the Team blog, we’re sitting down with Candy, our Block Manager. We talk to her about her professional challenges and successes along the way.
What is your role at tlc?
I am a Block Manager, so I look after a portfolio of residential blocks and more specifically take care of the common parts of each building. This entails making sure the block is compliant in terms of health, safety and fire regulations, service level agreements are in place for cleaning, lifts, pest control, drains/gutters etc.
Over and above our management agreement, we also handle insurance claims, licensing of lessee alterations, and overseeing the periodic refurbishment of the buildings’ internals and externals – to name a few.
What is your background?
I am originally from South Africa and I moved to the UK in January 2020 (poor timing, I know). I was inspired to pursue a career in property by my father whose real estate career spans nearly fifty years.
I obtained my honours degree in Property Studies from the University of Cape Town in 2016 and have worked in property, asset and block management ever since. I have managed everything from regional shopping centres, to student accommodation and a mixed private portfolio of office/industrial/retail/residential units – but have truly found my calling in block management.
What values drive you?
I love being able to spark palpable changes in a building when I take it on – whether it is getting stagnant projects off the ground or making subtle improvements or quick ‘little wins’ as we like to call them in the office.
What are your objectives for tlc over the next 12 months?
As I joined in January 2022, I am still building my portfolio, getting to know my buildings and clients, and getting all my maintenance scheduling and compliance in check. So, in the next 12 months I would like to get to know them like the back of my hand and be able to carve out as much proactive time as possible as I can for them.
What do you enjoy doing outside of the office?
Although I have lived in London for nearly two and a half years, I still feel a tourist in this incredible city, so I really like to try see of much of it as I can. Restaurants, walks along the Thames, museums, parks, experiences – I love it all.
What is your favourite song?
It’s impossible to choose, but one I have had on regular repeat since about 2015 is Class Historian by BRONCHO.
What is one thing that might surprise people about you?
I am just over 5’2 so people are often surprised how short I am when they meet me.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
Absolutely a dolphin.
What are three things on your bucket list?
I have only ever travelled in Africa, North America and Europe, so I’d say I would like to travel in Asia, South America and Australia as my three.
