Tell us about your role

“My role oversees all Aviva-owned properties in and around the Cambridgeshire area and includes leading a team and service partners to deliver a customer-focussed, safe and legally compliant environment to our occupiers. I represent the landlord and am here to support occupiers in any way that I can to facilitate a positive working environment for them and their teams.”  

What does a typical day look like for you? 

“I’m not sure there is such thing as a “typical” day at the moment. There has been so much to do since taking on the Park Manager role but that’s starting to ease off now and I can start focusing on the aspects of the role that I enjoy and am here to do, such as getting out there, meeting the Park occupiers and finding out from them what they would like to see at the Park and then making that happen.”

What gives you job satisfaction?  

“Happy occupiers and a happy team. Seeing things run smoothly and receiving positive feedback always feels good and being able to share that with an engaged and motivated team is so rewarding.”

What is it that you particularly like about Chesterford Research Park and what motivated you to come here?

“Firstly. the Park is stunning. Arriving at the Park and seeing the natural landscape we are fortunate to have around us, never fails to amaze me.

“I was motivated to come here by the challenge and opportunities. It is an exciting time to be involved in research and life science with the current buzz around that sector - particularly in Cambridge. The Park is at the centre of that and has ambitious growth plans.  I felt I could make a positive contribution and was desperate to be a part of it.”  

Are there any specific Park initiatives that you are working on that the moment that you can tell us a bit more about?

“In the new year we will be launching a new visitor management system and Park services portal, both of which will improve communication and processes which will be a big benefit to all our occupiers and Park team.”  

What do you like to do outside of work? 

“I started out as a Chef, so food and drink are still very much my passion. I love creating dishes from incredible seasonal, local produce, some of which I grow myself.  

Quick fire Q&A with Shane:

Tea or coffee? Neither I’m afraid.

Winter or summer? Got to be summer.

Who do you admire most (and why)? My wife and anyone else that can speak more than one language (learning Italian is not going well for me!).

Food heaven? A proper, authentic, wood fired Margarita Pizza.

Food hell? Mushrooms, it’s a texture thing.

Favourite way to relax? Cooking. 

If you weren’t doing this job, you’d be working as… A Hotel Manager - it’s where I came from and still something I’m close to.