Jason Walker

What is your background?

My earlier career was rooted in hospitality operations, where I worked across customer facing environments, managed large teams and oversaw commercial assets. It gave me a strong grounding in service, people management and operating in environments where expectations are high and effective communication really matters.

I moved over to Residential Block Management at the start of 2018 and have since developed a wealth of experience across a broad range of technical and complex matters, including First tier Tribunal proceedings, challenging client and leaseholder escalations, major works, service charge disputes, Licence to Alter applications, Section 20 consultation and the many varied property matters we are fortunate to facilitate as managing agents.

I am TPI qualified, an Associate Member of RICS and am currently progressing through MRICS.

Block Management brings together many of the things I have always enjoyed professionally: people, property, problem solving and building lasting relationships.

What values drive you?

Transparency is probably the value I place above everything else.

There is something quite unique about being trusted to become part of somebody's world through managing the building they call home. What may appear as a flat number or property on a system is somebody's home, investment and often one of the most important things in their life.

Block Management will inevitably bring challenges and there will not always be an immediate or perfect solution. I believe being transparent about what is happening, communicating clearly and taking ownership gives everyone the best opportunity to resolve matters efficiently.

Integrity and respect naturally sit alongside that. People should understand what is happening, why it is happening and what we are doing next.

What are your objectives for tlc over the next 12 months?

To continue developing our Block Management department while identifying practical opportunities to improve the way we operate and the service we provide.

Developing people is particularly important to me. I enjoy seeing people become more confident, take greater ownership and progress within their careers. I want to continue creating an environment where knowledge is shared and the team succeeds collectively.

There is always another level to work towards.

What do you enjoy doing outside of the office?

Usually something that keeps me moving or gives me a new experience.

Running has become a significant part of my life, progressing from casual running through to completing the London Marathon. I enjoy training, travelling, discovering great food, spending time with good people and generally finding experiences that take me slightly outside my comfort zone.

More recently, scuba diving has joined that list. What started as trying something completely new quickly developed into achieving my PADI Scuba Diver certification and continuing my training towards becoming a full PADI Open Water Diver.

Open Water first. Advanced PADI, here I come.

Most importantly, I love spending time with my son. He is growing up far too quickly, so making memories and finding new adventures together will always be important to me.

What is your favourite song?

I genuinely could not choose just one.

My music taste is incredibly broad and depends entirely on the day, the mood and what I am doing. I can quite happily move between completely different genres without thinking twice about it.

This year has also brought some great concerts and gigs into the calendar, which has reminded me how much I enjoy live music. I am always looking for the next opportunity to see someone perform.

And who knows, a Tomorrowland ticket would be very welcome one day.

What is one thing that might surprise people about you?

I completed the London Marathon.

Running was never something I expected to become such a significant part of my life, let alone something that would eventually take me through 26.2 miles of London.

Apparently, I quite enjoy setting myself challenges that initially seem like questionable ideas. 

If you could be any animal, what would you be?

A marine iguana.

They look like miniature Godzillas and are the only iguanas that have adapted to spend time in the ocean, diving underwater to feed.

Considering my original answer to this question was a dragon and I have since discovered scuba diving, a real life, ocean going mini Godzilla feels like a fairly natural progression.

What are three things on your bucket list?

• Continue exploring the world and experiencing places that feel completely different from everyday life.
• Keep progressing through my PADI qualifications and experience some truly memorable dives around the world.
• Keep setting myself challenges that feel slightly beyond what I think I can do, whether professionally, underwater, on the start line of another race or somewhere I have not discovered yet.