COFFEE BREAK with… Richard Green, Director – VS

When did you join Christie & Co?
April 2003 – just over 20 years ago!

Where were you when you accepted your role at Christie & Co?
Funnily enough I was at the Christie & Co Nottingham office when offered the job and accepted!

What was your first job? 
My first ever paid job was cleaning cars for a classic car trader – you could spend a day cleaning and polishing a car to perfection. That’s why my car is so clean if anyone ever wondered!

In a couple of sentences, can you tell us a bit about your job at Christie & Co? 
I work in the valuation department specialising in care, childcare and education valuations. It is a great job as you get to see properties, places and people that usually you would not otherwise get to see.

What’s your favourite thing about Christie & Co? 
The people! Everyone throughout the company from top to bottom is approachable and friendly which is a unique quality and is why so many people stay at Christie & Co throughout their careers.

What's a favourite project that you’ve worked on at Christie & Co so far? 
So many to choose from…but I was once asked to provide rent advice to a very well-known stately home. What was most interesting was seeing the back areas of the house, the parts that the general public never get to see. Unforgettable.

What’s been the biggest challenge of your career so far?  
Covid – this was a very challenging and discombobulating time – we got through it together though!

What’s been a highlight of your career so far? 
Being made Lead Valuer for the Childcare and Education department last year.

How has the industry changed since you started at Christie & Co? 
The industry has advanced significantly for the greater good. There is a rise in quality which results in better overall care and education for all which is always great to see…

Who in your industry do you feel most inspired by? 
The operators out there who provide outstanding/excellent levels of care! They set the standard and push the envelope in terms of what is possible – this in my opinion drives the market forward.

Tell us a bit about your life outside work – what are your hobbies? 
I have been a martial artist for the last 30 years and am continually surprised by the depth of knowledge and skills that can be learned. Mountain/downhill biking is also a great passion. Something that many people in the company don’t know is that I am a drummer, which I have kept up since being at school…

What’s your hometown? 
My hometown was Newcastle-under–Lyme in Stoke-on-Trent.  

Where do you live now? 
I now live in West Bridgford, Nottingham.

Where’s the best place you’ve been on holiday? 
Mauritius on our honeymoon, we had a great time. As water sports were included in our stay, I managed to go waterskiing 14 times in one day – I don’t think the chap in charge of water sports liked me too much!

What’s your biggest pet peeve? 
Slow drivers – where did they learn?

If you could live and work in any city, where would you go? 
I love Monte Carlo in Monaco, but erm, I’m not a millionaire and my family hate it there, so I think it’s a pipe dream!

What would be your desert island meal? 
Gravadlax, steak and a nice chocolate dessert.

What’s your favourite film? 
Very hard question – I think that I watched Top Gun over 50 times when I was younger and loved the new version. I also love The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Kill Bill and the list goes on…

What is your favourite movie quote? 
“Do you expect me to talk Goldfinger?” “No, I expect you to die Mr Bond”

What is one thing on your bucket list? 
To go in a bi-plane – my wife bought me a ride in one – that reminds me I need to book it!

What is your biggest fear? 
Going in a bi-plane – gulp.

What news source do you read every day? 
BBC news.

What’s your social media platform of choice? 
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not good at social media, but if I have to give an answer then its LinkedIn, and WhatsApp if that counts! 

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