Graduate stories

Matt Pullen
EMEA Head of Global Corporate Services

Joined our Graduate Programme in 1990

Do you remember your first day with the firm?

Very well. The two guys who did portfolio valuations before me were Rob Andrews and Gavin Hastings – former rugby internationals. I remember the woman who ran the department looking at me with disappointment and saying, ‘I hope you’re good at your job!’ They were big shoes to fill.

Was there time for a social life?

Oh, it was really social. The balance of work and play was fantastic. I think it’s still like that now: Martin has a real mantra around fun. The beauty of the company is it leaves you to determine how to handle work and life.

Who showed you the ropes?

Clive Arding, who ran the City business team and Alan Froggett, who was later our European Chief Exec, stand out. Alan was inspirational because of the freedom he gave me. I was partly responsible for leasing our office accommodation after it was blown up by IRA. He had a lot of faith in me to let me deal with that. Clive was extraordinary in the level of responsibility and trust he gave very early on. And Mike Strong, our EMEA CEO and Chairman, has always been there for me and sponsored my area of business. We’re an organisation where the chairman is more than happy to climb out of his tower and help you deliver on the ground.

Who inspires you these days?

Now it’s the youngsters who come through with the same enthusiasm and entrepreneurial drive. The people who do well in our culture aren’t afraid to over-communicate. There’s no topic around property that isn’t understood by someone here. So seek out support and advice, you’ll find it. The people who get on best are the ones who harness this power!

Twenty years is a long time to spend with one company. What’s kept you here so long?

Well it’s not been the same company. There have been a lot of mergers and acquisitions since I joined. When I joined Corporate Services in ’96, we were about a dozen strong globally. We’re about 8,000 now. The business evolution and brand development has brought a lot of opportunities for me. So why did I ever need to leave?

Does it still feel like the same company to work for though?

I think we’ve managed to retain our DNA. It’s a culture that really embraces entrepreneurialism. People have this perception that because we’re a Fortune 500 company that we’re some kind of dull corporate machine. Far from it. There are lots more opportunities now we’re a big corporate – and they give you as much rope as you want to exploit them.