Spotlight on Karl Russell, Security Supervisor at Wellington Place

Spotlight Questions Interview with Karl Russell, G4S - Security Supervisor at Wellington Place

Please tell us a little bit about what G4S provides

Manned security across the Wellington Place Estate

How long have you worked for G4S?

I have worked at Wellington Place since Feb 2007 with Reliance Security. G4S took over the contract on 1st Aug this year.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?

Tough one that, I suppose it's the sense of pride I get when occupiers can relax around the estate on their lunch hour and feel safe to do so. It makes all the hard work my team has put in over the years worth while.

What is the oddest thing that you have had to do in the course of a day’s work?

I have encountered so many odd incidents that even to this day they still make me chuckle. I particularly remember the ferret incident. A few years ago a colleague and I were sat in the patrol car at around 5am when a ferret ran into the middle of the car park and stared at us. My colleague was quite a stocky lad and it makes me smile remembering him cooing and chasing it across the Estate, the only thing missing that day was the Benny Hill music.

When asked as a child, ‘what do you want to be when you grow up’ what was your reply?

I wanted to be a Police Officer like my dad.

If a movie was made of your life, who would you like to have playing you?

I would probably say Will Smith solely for the fact he has funny ears like me.

What is your favourite…..?

Tipple? Red Wine

Book? Dan Brown - Da Vinci Code

Dessert? Sticky toffee pudding with lots of custard.

If you could only eat 3 foods a day what would they be?

Cornflakes, Spag Bol and Cadburys Crunchies (I know, they’re not strictly a food but I love them).

If you were stranded on a desert island what item(s) could you not live without?

For fear of my better half seeing this then it would have to be my wife.... if she doesn’t, then it would be my laptop.

I never leave the house without…

Phone, car keys and diary.

Dead or alive who would your three ideal dinner guests be?

Stan Laurel, Benny Hill and Peter Kay.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

New York just before Christmas.

What is your favourite aspect of working at Wellington Place?

I really enjoy getting out on the new security bike, it gives me a chance to get to know more people around the Estate.

Grand Christmas Lights Switch On!

We are delighted that the 2010 Grand Christmas Lights Switch On will be hosted by Irwin Mitchell Solicitors on Thursday 9th December from 5pm.

This year the event will have a Christmas Market theme, so come along and join in the festivities, and help support the Irwin Mitchell office charity of the year, SNAPS (Special Needs and Parent Support), a voluntary organisation run by families, for families with children with disabilities.www.snaps-vol.org.uk

If you work in or around Wellington Place you are welcome to join us, and free free to bring along your family and friends. The evening will start from 5pm, with the Christmas Lights Switch On around 6pm. There will be an opportunity to eat, drink and buy last minute Christmas presents at one of the many market stalls, as well as a chance to get into the festive spirit with carols and special guests.

Pre register now by clicking here and receive a free glass of mulled wine on the night.

PS. Anyone interested in holding a stall at the event, please contact Andrew Russell on andrew.russell@irwinmitchell.com

Crowne Plaza Christmas Parties

The Crowne Plaza value added options means there is something to tempt everyone.

Choose a complimentary stay, 15% discount on the bar or 3 bottles of wine per table.

Book your room at Crowne Plaza on 0113 261 6801

www.leeds.crowneplaza.com

MEPC Gets The Green Light For New Offices in Leeds

Planning permission has been granted from Leeds City Council for two new Grade A office buildings at Wellington Place. The City Council re-iterated its continued strong support for the proposals noting that the careyjones architects designed buildings provide an exemplar approach which set a benchmark for the City.

Number 3 Wellington Place will be prominently located at the junction of Wellington Street and Northern Street and will comprise 110,000 sq ft of Grade A office space with floor plates up to 19,500 sq ft.

The application for Number 10 Wellington Place includes plans for 35,000 sq ft of Grade A office space set over five floors with floor plates of up to 6,700 sq ft, with the option of transforming the ground floor for retail or leisure use.

Andrew Barlow, managing director of Wellington Place, said: “We are pleased to have received planning permission for Number 3 and Number 10 Wellington Place. This demonstrates our commitment to the expansion of the site; however, we will be taking a long-term approach to construction and we are unlikely to be developing speculatively.

“This decision has been made to enable us to ensure the continued success of Wellington Place and to be in a position to develop the two Grade A office buildings when market conditions allow.”

While many of the UK’s developers opted to mothball paralysed sites, MEPC invested £1 million enhancing its public realm, including; the creation of green space, urban gardens, a five-a-side football pitch and orchard on what would otherwise have been a derelict site.

Are you up to the Big Wigs challenge?

Sponsored by the Crowne Plaza, The Big Wigs Challenge is Sue Ryder Care's exciting corporate fundraiser which runs from October 2010 to January 2011. The challenge involves giving away a crisp £50 note to businesses and asking them to turn it into something much bigger.

Regus, RSM Tenon and Wardhadaway are amongst the Wellington Place occupiers who have taken up the challenge and taken the money! Competition is hot with each team out to prove they are true entrepreneurs who can think of ingenious ways to make this money grow and give it back to the charity with substantial interest.

The team at Regus kicked of their fund raising efforts last week with a Cake Sale and have already doubled their money.

Leodis Sports Management have kindly donated a Yorkshire County Cricket Club bat signed by the 2010 season players. The bat will be auctioned off in a sealed bid auction, for further details please e-mail Samantha.HamiltonSmith@regus.com

At the end of the challenge the most impressive fundraising team will be crowned ‘Sue Ryder Care Wheatfileds Hospice Charity Entrepreneur of the year’, with other titles awarded for innovation and raising the charities profile.

Any size or type of company can take part and support the hospice. For more information or to sign up to the challenge, call 0113 203 3377 or e-mail chris.normington@suerydercare.org

Spotlight on Phil Clifford, Estate Manager MEPC, Wellington Place

Interview with Phil Clifford, Estate Manager MEPC, Wellington Place.

How long have you worked at MEPC?

3 Years.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your role?

Seeing smiling faces around the estate.

What have been your most memorable experiences at work?

Being proud to be part of the team that has created the estate to the standard that it is now.

What was your previous role?

26 years as a serving soldier, rising to the rank of Captain.

What job would you have gone into if it wasn’t property?

Due to recent experience in the world of television, some of my fellow thespians have mentioned that I am in the wrong business, maybe I should have taken up acting!

What’s the oddest thing that you have had to do in the course of a day’s work?

Being told that I had to ride a very large horse on parade in front of 1000 men. Having had no riding experience you can imagine my fear as the men were called to attention causing the horse to bolt and slam me into a flagpole. Not a good day.

If a movie was made of your life, who would you like to have playing you?

My hero, Norman Wisdom.

What was the last thing that you laughed out loud to?

Last night, it was a text message I received from a friend.

What is your most memorable experience as a child?

My elder brothers holding a party while our parents were away, all the house furniture was stacked in my bedroom and I saw sights that night that a twelve year old shouldn’t see!

What’s the most interesting place you’ve been to for a holiday and why?

Sorrento, it’s like stepping into the 50’s and the Amalfi coast is stunning.

What’s your favourite…

Tipple? Brandy

Book? Alex Ferguson’s biography

Dessert? Chocolate sponge with chocolate custard

If you were stranded on a desert island what item(s) could you not live without?

My wife.

What’s your biggest passion in life?

My allotment. I have recently taken on a 100ft x 50ft patch and am patiently waiting for the produce to appear.

Have you got a goal and what are you doing to reach it?

My goal is to win next year’s ‘Best Allotment’.

If you could support a charity, which one would it be and why?

Help 4 Heroes. Being a former member of the forces I have lost many friends over the years.

Do you recycle at home?

Yes, everything is separated and I send 0.5% to landfill.

What sort of music do you like?

I enjoy a variety of music, having two teenage daughters I am quite ‘down with the kids’.

What’s your most loved song?

My most loved song is ‘Wonderful tonight’ by Eric Clapton.

Do you play any instruments?

As a youngster I played the trombone and I am also a mean drummer!

Who’s your favourite sportsperson & why?

Football is my passion, having played it and been a manager. Manchester United is my team and Sir Bobby Charlton is my hero.

The thing that makes me feel most guilty about my carbon footprint is…Using my car too much.

The last time I lied was…. I don’t lie.

I never leave the house without…. My wallet and phone

My least favourite building is… The Yorkshire Post building in Leeds, it’s a concrete slab

My favourite building is.... Neushwanstein (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang castle in Bavaria)

If I lost everything tomorrow I would.... Keep smiling!

Crowne Plaza Christmas Parties

The Crowne Plaza value added options means there is something to tempt everyone.

Choose a complimentary stay, 15% discount on the bar or 3 bottles of wine per table.

Book your room at Crowne Plaza on 0113 261 6801

www.leeds.crowneplaza.com

Wellington Place Events Space

Wellpleased Events have been appointed by MEPC to operate and manage events on the Wellington Place Estate.

Offering a full in-house production service, they are on site to service all event requirements. If you are interested in holding your next event at Wellington Place Wellpleased events can assist you with all aspects of planning the event from start to finish. They are a one-stop shop for all your event needs and can provide you with marquees, structures, sound, lighting, staging, fencing, generators, furniture, catering, bars, crew, security, décor, entertainment, branding, multimedia services, delegate registration, transport and accommodation.

Alternatively, you can arrange all or parts of these yourself, safe in the knowledge that professionals are on site to give an understanding and helping hand.

For further information on the events space, click here

Winner of a year's free BMF membership!

The lucky winner of one years free BMF Membership was Lianne from Sky, Lianne scooped the prize by correctly answering last months competition question.

British Military Fitness classes are based at Wellington Place and run every Monday and Wednesday at 12.30 and Tuesday and Thursday at 7.15am. Best of all, your first class is FREE, simply go online and visit www.britmilfit.com/signup complete the online health questionnaire and then turn up to any class.

If your place of work is located in Wellington Place we are happy to offer you a special corporate rate of just £30 per month for unlimited classes.

For your chance to win fantastic prizes keep subscribing to Parklife.

MEPC iPhone App Now Available

MEPC are delighted to launch their first ever iPhone App today giving customers immediate access to current availability across the eight MEPC Business Estates.

The App can be downloaded from the App store.

Wellington Place BBQ

Wellington Place’s summer BBQ was a sizzling success! With over 400 Wellington Place occupiers coming together to enjoy a free BBQ and hog roast with live music, games and prizes, even the overcast weather didn’t stop the fun.

We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who joined us. Together we raised over £400 for Sue Ryder Care – Wheatfields Hospice.

Andrew Barlow, managing director MEPC Wellington Place said "Our BBQ is a great opportunity for our occupiers to get together. I am thrilled we had such a great turnout"

We do hope to see you all there again next year.

Please click here to see the gallery

Wellington Place on MEPC TV

Today sees the launch of MEPC TV, providing a platform for the showcase of our activities on and around our eight business and science parks via a video portal.

Rick de Blaby, Chief Executive of MEPC comments “We are always looking for new ways to engage with people, MEPC TV is a new and exciting concept that allows us to really showcase what we do every day on our Estates”.

MEPC TV

British Military Fitness Leeds

British Military Fitness, the UK’s largest military style fitness provider has come to Wellington Place! Classes are every Monday and Wednesday at 12.30 and Tuesday and Thursday at 7.15am.

Get behind the kids!!!

A group of three brave young boys are raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support by entering this years King Sturge Triathlon which is being held at Dorney Lake in Eton. The boys, Charlie Cutting, Ed and Harry de Blaby have been given special leave as young competitors to raise money for this worthwhile cause.

If you can get behind them and show your support, please do so by visiting their Just Giving page, all donations are welcome http://www.justgiving.com/thecranleighboys

About Macmillan Cancer Support...

Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer. We provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support and push for better cancer care. One in three of us will get cancer. Two million of us are living with it. We are all affected by cancer. We can all help. We are Macmillan.

MEPC Wellington Place Scoops Another Prestigious Award

MEPC’s Wellington Place has scooped a prestigious award for regeneration at last night’s Yorkshire Property Awards, the annual event that recognises property leaders across the region.

The award for Best Regeneration Project, Corporate Social Responsibility Award 2010, went to MEPC’s Wellington Place for its £1m greening investment to turn the site into a vibrant business and community hub during the downturn.

While many of the UK’s developers opted to mothball paralysed sites, MEPC bucked the trend by investing £1 million enhancing its public realm, including; the creation of green space, urban gardens, a five-a-side football pitch and orchard on what would otherwise have been a derelict site.

The investment has been instrumental in attracting occupiers to the site with Wellington Place securing 25,000 sq ft of lettings already this year. With only 86,000 sq ft of office accommodation across Leeds City Centre let so far in 2010, Wellington Place holds more than a third of all letting.

Andrew Barlow, Managing Director of Wellington Place, said: “Our commitment to Leeds City Centre inspired us to invest in the site while projects were stalled. We have witnessed across the region how abandoned plots of land can affect the morale of a city. Not only is Wellington Place an attractive place to work and visit but it is recognised by investors as a progressive development which recognises its responsibility to the city.”

Wellington Place recently also won a prestigious award at the prominent Leeds Architecture Awards. The Temporary Works award celebrates innovation and commitment to the community. MEPC was praised for turning its 22 acre site to a city centre resource that can be enjoyed by those who live and work in the surrounding area, creating a new community hub. Judges said MEPC should be applauded for providing such a vibrant community space and for demonstrating a long-term commitment to Leeds during the economic downturn.

MEPC Sells Benson House for £20 Million to Lancashire County Pension Fund

MEPC today announces the sale of Benson House to Lancashire County Pension Fund for £20 million achieving a net initial yield of 7.4%.

Benson House is located on the award winning MEPC Wellington Place development scheme managed by MEPC.

Currently occupied by Price Waterhouse Coopers the rent is at £1,549,660 per annum on an unexpired term of 11 years, with a break clause in six years.

MEPC were advised by King Sturge. Knight Frank Investors acted for Lancashire County Pension Fund.

Notes to Editors
MEPC manages some of the UK’s best known commercial property. With a £1bn portfolio, we are a leader in our field. We have eight Business Estates in prime locations throughout the UK. Together they provide over 10m sq ft of high-quality space for more than 1,000 organisations, employing 20,000 people.

Contacts
Amber Kennedy, MEPC Marketing Manager
Tel: 01256 486695
Email: akennedy@mepc.com
Web: www.mepc.com

Update To Wellington Place Website

http://www.mepc.com/wellingtonplace/Home.aspx

Wellington Place has updated and renewed its website, offering a new look and updated content. The new site includes all the latest offices to let on the Leeds business park along with updated information and news.

Military Fitness Classes in Leeds

British Military Fitness have brought their effective outdoor fitness classes from the park to the city centre. Classes are very fun and social, the perfect excuse to get out of the office!

Classes are here at MEPC Wellington Place every Monday and Wednesday at 12.30 and Tuesday and Thursday at 7.15am.

Everyone's first class is FREE and they are also offering a special corporate rate for people who's office is located in Wellington Place - just £30 per month for unlimited classes.

For more details visit: https://www.britmilfit.com/signup/

Five-A-Side Football in Leeds City Centre

Do you work in the Leeds area? fancy playing a bit of 5-a-side football at luchtimes or afterwork? If so why not get a team together and come down to Wellington Places' Soccer Central five-a-side football pitch and book a game.
We are located in the west-end of central Leeds and offer five a side football exclusively for corporate use making it the perfect way to get your business match fit.

Regus Expands at Wellington Place

Regus, the leading global provider of innovative workplace solutions, has expanded its presence at MEPC’s No.2 Wellington Place, Leeds, by taking an additional 10,380 sq ft in the grade A office building.

The additional requirement is a result of Regus’ current 26,175 sq ft space at No.2 Wellington Place being fully occupied due to high demand by businesses in the area. The larger 36,555 sq ft business centre will increase the amount of flexible office space available on the site.

The additional space has been taken on a profit share partnership with the office building owner MEPC. DTZ and Jones Lang LaSalle acted on behalf of MEPC and Regus respectively. Regus is one of a number of high profile businesses located in No.2 Wellington Place including legal firm Irwin Mitchell and accountancy firm RSM Tenon.

Comments Jonathan Walsh, Director of MEPC Wellington Place: “We’re confident that the quality of Wellington Place as a first class business destination, coupled with Regus’ first class service, will continue to reap rewards.”