COFFEE BREAK WITH...Oliver Watson, Director - Medical VS

When did you join Christie & Co?
I joined on 5 January 2015.

Where were you when you accepted your role at Christie & Co?
I was working as a haulage driver in between finishing university and Lee Howard called me whilst I was delivering magazines in a white van.

What was your first job?
Christie & Co was my first full-time job. I have had various holiday jobs throughout my time at university - one in particular was doing night shifts in a diesel engine-making factory 10pm to 6am.

In a couple of sentences, can you tell us a bit about your job at Christie & Co?
I am a valuer within the medical team undertaking a range of valuations across East Anglia and London.

What’s your favourite thing about Christie & Co?
The culture of the people within the business. It was daunting when I first started and various people took me under their wing and showed me the ropes. I see this across the business on a weekly basis with lots of people willing to help and give advice. So many people within Christie & Co have a vast amount of knowledge.  

What's a favourite project that you’ve worked on at Christie & Co so far?
One of my favourite jobs was valuing Newmarket Equine Hospital. This was a fascinating building and had a range of top racehorses. The business was one of the most prolific businesses within the equine industry and the biggest across Europe and on inspection, there were various racehorses being operated on. It gave a great insight into this sector.

What’s been the biggest challenge of your career so far?
There have been various challenges across my time at Christie & Co, firstly it was the APC process. Following that was trying to develop my professional base in the sector that I work in and developing as a surveyor.

What’s been a highlight of your career so far?
Definitely becoming a Director.

How has the industry changed since you started at Christie & Co?
The last four years have changed significantly with COVID-19 and then the economic environment changing in late 2022, so over my time within Christie & Co I have seen a significant change in various markets and it is great to see how each sector performs when there is a change.

Who in your industry do you feel most inspired by?
Definitely my dad, he is a retired surveyor and I definitely feel that I wouldn’t be doing what I am today without his involvement and my understanding of what he does from a young age.

Tell us a bit about your life outside work – what are your hobbies?
I am an ex-semi-pro rugby player and played for various teams across the Championship to Nat 2 over a 16-year career. I retired two years ago with a bad back and having a child. Going to rugby three times a week wasn’t on the cards with my wife!! My two little sausage dogs keep me entertained on a day-to-day basis as well as the gym and running and I am an avid car fan.

What’s your hometown? Where do you live now?
My hometown is Bury St Edmunds and I live in a small village outside of the town with my neighbour being Claudia Schiffer.

Where’s the best place you’ve been on holiday?
St Kitts and Nevis, a family holiday which was stunning!

What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Table manners!!!!

If you could live and work in any city, where would you go?
I would love to live and work in Barcelona, I think the city environment along with the beach setting would be an ideal place to live.

What would be your desert island meal?
To start I would probably have chicken liver pate with toasted bread and quince jelly, then I would have a rack of lamb with dauphinoise potatoes, then sticky toffee pudding and custard.  

What’s your favourite film?
Pulp Fiction.

What is one thing on your bucket list?
There are a number but to go to Everest Base Camp would be fun.

What is your biggest fear?
Snakes… can’t stand them!!!

What news source do you read every day?
Financial Times!

What’s your social media platform of choice?
Instagram.

To read more of our “Coffee Break with…” blog posts, click here.