Here at Phoenix, we are proud of every member of our Team! Continuing with our Friday tradition we are meeting another member wonderful member of #teamPhoenix. Read through to learn more about Brickwork Commercial Director Luke Blackburn and his many pets!
How long have you been at Phoenix for and what do you enjoy about your job?
I have been with Phoenix for just over 2 years now. The most enjoyable part of the job is agreeing a successful final account! (I guess this is the same for all quantity surveyors!)
What did you want to be when you were younger?
I was always set on joining the Army as a teenager, however somewhere along the line I decided it sounded quite hard work and dangerous, so I changed my mind, and somehow ended up choosing the construction industry.
Describe one of your favourite work memories?
Having been a Brickwork Quantity Surveyor for nearly 25 years I have been lucky enough to be involved in hundreds of projects all over the UK. I have some nice memories, but my favourite work memory is from my first ever job. At the age of 11, when I was a ‘trapper’ at the local clay pigeon shooting ground. My job was setting up, operating the mechanical traps and clearing away at the end. I was paid £5 per day and enjoyed every second of being out in the fresh air, with no real worries or concerns apart from getting accidentally shot.
What do you do in your spare time?
I have been doing the Korean martial art of Taekwondo for many years, and I am a 3rd Dan blackbelt. It gives me mental and physical discipline and keeps me sharp, although it gets harder the older I get.
Share the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
1)Cover your tracks properly if you make a mistake!
2)Never let the truth get in the way of a good story!
3)If something at first appears like it is too hard, then it probably is!
Do you have any pets, what are they like?
I am a real animal person, we have a dog called Tinkerbell and 2 African Desert Tortoises, which I’ve had for nearly 20 years. In addition, I have a pond full of Koi carp and 2 tanks of tropical fish, so my electric bill causes heated discussions in our house…
And finally, what does being part of #teamPhoenix mean to you?
Phoenix is an organisation that really focuses on the employee, unlike any other place I’ve worked. Whilst the business has grown exponentially, it still definitely has an ‘open door’ team culture and is a happy and positive environment to work in.
