- Breaking into Property Development: Early Career Strategies for Graduates

In this episode, Paul sits down with Lucas, a recent Bristol civil engineering graduate, who is considering becoming a property developer. Together, they discuss why everything in development starts with finding and controlling land, how planning policy has evolved to make that both harder and more crucial, and why today’s planning environment might actually be one of the best times to get into development despite a tough sales market.

Paul lays out the residual land value logic that underpins every deal and sets out which early-career roles provide the best learning opportunity for would-be property developers. Including, whether to work for large housebuilders or smaller developers, how to approach land directors directly, and the mindset and skills that matter, over time.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Graduate schemes at major housebuilders are still a powerful shortcut into property development. You learn the entire process.

If you want to be more focused, target learning how to find land you can put together a profitable deal for.

Being able to communicate effectively, negotiate and understand people is critical for developers. This is especially important when dealing with landowners and decision‑makers.

Proactive outreach beats simply sitting there and waiting for a vacancy and then applying. Directly contacting land directors and developers with a message that is tailored to them can help you to get in even if there are no advertised vacancies.

Today we are facing huge demand for housing, a more pro‑development planning policy and fewer SME competitors. A combination that creates strong opportunities for those who have taken the time to really understand land and planning.

In a tougher sales market, the margin for error is tiny. Accurate appraisals and disciplined land offers matter more than ever.

BEST MOMENTS

“Everything has flipped so knowing how to build stuff is just nowhere near enough. You actually need to understand land and planning.”

"In all business, and in life, actually, attitude is the most important thing."

"It really is all about land and planning. It´s the key."

"Most of the best SME developers used to work for house builders."

EPISODE RESOURCES

Paresh Chandegra interview with Paul - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1RpVHBqxJQ

The Housebuilder´s Bible - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Housebuilders-Bible-15-Mark-Brinkley/dp/1916016839

The Art of the Deal . https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trump-Art-Deal-Donald-ebook/dp/B01N3U67V8

ABOUT THE HOST

Paul Higgs is a Chartered Planning and Development Surveyor with 40+ years' experience in land, planning and development and a 100% success track record in winning planning consents.

Paul undertook his first refurb project when he was just 17 and then worked his way up from labouring on building sites to becoming Head of Land for renowned plc housebuilder, Barratt Developments. He managed to escape the corporate world in 2002 to set up what is now a multimillion-pound award-winning property development company, Millbank Group.

In 2013 Paul founded the Millbank Land Academy, the UK’s first training company dedicated to property development; to teach established and aspiring developers the insider secrets the big housebuilders don’t want you to know!

Paul is also a founding investor and former board director of the industry-leading PropTech Co, LandTech, and has lectured on Advanced Development Valuations on the MSc Property Development at London South Bank University.

CONTACT METHOD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-higgs

Millbank Land Academy: https://www.millbanklandacademy.co.uk

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paulhiggsofficial

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@InsidePropertyDevelopment

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/