Five minutes with… Len Rosso, head of I&L at Colliers

What is the worst travel experience you’ve had while working in the property industry?

I had been at a dinner in Leeds and thought my train was at 9pm, but it turned out it was at 8pm and I had to jump in a cab from Leeds to York. The last train was at 11.30pm, so I had two hours alone on the platform before getting on the train. It then broke down and we spent two hours stuck before getting back into London, only to discover it was too late for trains to be running. I then had to get a cab back home and eventually got back to my house at about 4am.

What has been your most embarrassing industry moment?

I was on a call with a client and I thought I’d put the phone down – I then proceeded to give my team a stern word about their motivation levels not realising I’d not hung up. The phone rang 20 minutes later and it was my client saying he admired the way I was trying to generate enthusiasm!

What’s the best work decision you have ever made?

Selling our former company, Jansons & Partners, to Colliers in 2006.

What’s your greatest work achievement?

Building up a world-class national industrial and logistics team at Colliers.

What’s the best night out you’ve attended?

I was taken by a client to the Champions League final between Manchester United and Bayern Munich. Not only was the match fantastic but we also went out for an amazing dinner in Barcelona.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

I always abide by the advice to treat people how you’d like to be treated yourself.

Who is your idol in the property industry and why?

My former business partner, Andy Jansons, who took a chance on me when I was 21 and just starting out, providing great help and support during my formative years in the industry.

What’s your favourite UK property?

The Connaught Hotel. It’s an amazing building in a great location and the food isn’t bad either!

Who do you most admire in the property industry?

Philip Marsden at JLL is a market-leading agent.

If you weren’t in your current post, what would be your dream job?

I would love to be a professional golfer.

What one thing would you change about the industry if you could?

There’s still a lot of work to be done around diversity within the industry. We are seeing the beginning of change but it is long overdue.

What could have the biggest impact on the property industry in the next 10 years?

At the risk of sounding quite doom and gloom, it’s the impact of climate change and the unknowns of geopolitics.

What’s your ideal holiday?

A long trip to the Maldives. It’s on my bucket list.

What was your childhood ambition?

I left school at 16 with no qualifications, so it was just to secure myself a good job!

What’s your favourite way to relax?

Watching the golf on TV.

What’s your culinary guilty pleasure?

Steak accompanied by a nice glass of red wine.

If you had a dinner party and could invite three famous people, alive or dead, who would they be and why?

Keeping with the golfing theme, it would definitely include Tiger Woods. Then to join him, Björn Borg and Elvis.

What’s the best restaurant you’ve been to anywhere in the world?

Le Cinq at the George V hotel in Paris is one of the best I’ve ever been to.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

San Diego.