Five minutes with Kevin Mofid

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

We took some clients to Cheltenham races and were meant to travel back in the evening. One thing led to another and everyone ended up staying the night. I then had to get two peak-time train tickets back to London for meetings. Being pretty junior I was really apprehensive all the way back regarding the pending expense claim and missing work. I actually ended up getting a pat on the back for looking after the client!

What’s your most embarrassing industry moment?

At one of the first presentations I ever gave at an industry event, a well-respected warehouse developer stood up afterwards and said in front of 100 people: “What Kevin has just said is of course all utter rubbish.” I could feel my face turn red instantly. Looking back he was right and it taught me that you really have to be on top of facts if you plan to talk about things in a public forum.

What’s your greatest achievement?

I don’t think it’s happened yet. I’m involved in teams looking at how we integrate residential and logistics in urban environments and how we deliver more multi-storey warehousing. Just four years ago, people were telling me both of these ideas were crazy so it would be great to be part of the team that delivers these projects.

What’s your favourite property in the UK?

The Royal Albert Hall. Such a beautiful building and I’ve seen some great gigs there including sitting in a box with Roger Daltrey watching Noel Gallagher’s first gig after he left Oasis, which having previously seen Oasis 11 times was pretty special.

What’s the best thing about the industry?

I know everyone says this but the people. I’ve made so many lifelong friends through the industry and even met my wife through a client who set us up on a blind date.

And the worst thing?

We’re getting a lot better but issues around mental health I think could be tackled better. Some people in my family have really struggled with this and it taught me from a young age what really matters and to put things into perspective.

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

I think many people are underestimating how much further online retail has to grow. We’re really only at the tip of the iceberg in my opinion. I’m usually pretty positive but I guess one element of risk would be if traditional retailers get much better at knowing what stock they actually hold in store.

This would allow them to service deliveries from stores and not from warehouses, potentially meaning less warehouse space is required.

What was the first album you ever bought?

Queen at Wembley Stadium just after Freddie Mercury died. Their performance at Live Aid will never be beaten.

What was your childhood ambition?

To be a rock star. My parents were kind enough to allow me to have drum lessons as a teenager. The drum teacher later resigned from school and took his kit with him. My parents weren’t kind enough to buy me a drum kit afterwards – so that was that.

What’s your favourite way to relax?

Any chance I get I love to be by the sea. Something about sea air and the sound of waves is good for the soul.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read?

The book I’ve been lending to people recently is called High Sobriety by Jill Stark. It tracks what happened to her when she gave up booze for a year. She’s a journalist and there are many parallels and lessons relating to the property world, which often feels as if it revolves around booze.

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

The three Marcus Wareing restaurants in London. We went to one when we bought our house, the other when we got engaged and the Michelin-starred Berkeley not long after we got married. The food is always amazing but the memories stand out more.

What’s your most annoying habit?

I find it really hard to say ‘no’, which usually results in a double-booked diary and an unhappy wife!

What’s the best birthday party you’ve ever had?

My 30th, which was during the London Olympics. I booked a big venue in Clapham and for reasons I still can’t quite work out decided to host an Olympic fancy-dress barn dance with a live band. The sight of the Jamaican Bobsleigh team doing a dosey-doe with Sally Gunnell will last long in the memory.

What football team do you support and why?

Coventry City because that’s where I’m from. I’m actually the social secretary for the Coventry City London Supporters Club. I was as surprised as you are to learn there is one.

What’s the best sport event you’ve ever been to?

Running the London Marathon 2012. The atmosphere is just amazing and it was such an exhilarating experience having so many friends and family there to cheer me on. And I beat my mate Olly – from BNP PRE – which I never let him forget.