Architect and TV presenter, George Clarke, shares his insights, advice and anecdotes.
The best piece of business advice I’ve ever been given is walk before you can run.
A close friend of mine, who in her time has lead a successful charity, said that to me and it really resonated. Make sure you get the simple things right, she said, before you consider anything that might be remotely complicated. I wish she’d said it to me when I was 16!
I started my first business when I was still at university and I think part of the reason I’ve made lots of mistakes is because I didn’t have a business teacher or mentor – lots of architect, design and construction teachers, but I’ve learnt a lot on the job and from my mistakes. My biggest teacher in business is probably my accountant, David Terry. He was the one, when I had no money or when the businesses were struggling, would call me up and say, “you can’t do it like this. Try this instead…” He’s semi-retired now, but he’s been my accountant for my whole life.
When it comes my career, one of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of employing right people. Recruitment is tough. Finding the right people to do the job is a big pressure. Finding the right people for the culture of your business, too. There are some people who you interview, you then go through the checks and balances, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out, so you have to make the difficult decision to let them go. Recruitment, people management and letting people go is really hard.
Whether in life or business, I think it’s important to know when to let it go. That covers so many things – ideas, career, people. Sometimes, things don’t work, even though you try and try and try. But you need to know when to let go of things and that’s not easy, especially when you’ve invested time and energy into them.
One of the most significant pieces of life advice I’ve ever been given is keep your head up and look at the world around you. My grandad used to say it and it’s always stuck with me. You can analyse that in so many ways, but he didn’t like lads on the estate walking around with their head down. Using that advice, I stood proud and ended up looking at buildings and the built environment much more than I would have done otherwise.
Life is all about people. So, for me, you need to be kind to people and you need to listen. I talk too much, so I can’t believe I’m saying this, but be a sponge and listen to the people around you. That’s one of my key takeaways after years spent as a business-owner, people manager and family man. My daughter used to say, but what if someone is really horrible to me Dad? I’d say, kill them with kindness. You have to be a good people person to run a good business. I’m not saying I am, but I can imagine some bosses being intimidating or scary and that’s their method to get the best out of people – but that’s not me.
When I look back at my life and career, I see now that I had four big influences who helped shape me into the person I am today. Firstly, my grandad, who was a working-class lad who left school at 15 to support his family. When I was sat on the couch with him, my nana and mum would ask if grandad was lecturing me again. But I loved sitting there and listening to him. Secondly, my design and technology teacher, Bob Ratcliffe. He saw that I had a real passion for design and making things and he got me my first work experience at an architect firm. That was life-changing for me. Then there’s Gerry Ruffles – my building and construction teacher when I was studying for my BTEC at Wearside College. I left school at 16 and got an apprenticeship and had to go to college one day a week. I was in his first class of students the year he started teaching. What’s even more special is that he’s still with me today, now as head of education at my educational charity MOBIE (Ministry of Building, Innovation and Education). Last, but not least, my first boss was an architect called David Johnson. I was 16 and had just finished my GCSEs, but he gave me a job in an architectural practice. He mentored and taught me well for two years. He had a massive impact on my life.
One thing I really believe is that knowledge is wealth – I carry that sentiment with me wherever I go and whatever life brings. Again, it was something my grandad always used to say. He didn’t mean just financial reward, though. Although he was a grafter and worked all his life in Sunderland, he meant that knowledge will give you more out of life. More life-wealth – not monetary wealth. And he was right. Through gaining more knowledge, about architecture and design, my life has definitely been enriched. I’ve been so privileged to do what I do.
A very talented designer, who later became a very good friend, gifted me some brilliant insight about reaching success in our industry. His name is Bobby Desai and we ended up going into business together. He said to always remember that the designs we do together are everything. If they go out at a substandard, then that reflects on us. If you do something quality, then you know it’s got a value to it. So, the drawings have to be right before they go out the door. That approach has actually made me a lot less stressed. Even when you have a deadline, you have to be calmer, more focused and considerate to get it 100% right.
One of the things I’ve learned about myself over the years is that I work too hard – but I’m not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Someone, not that long ago, called me a workaholic. But I love my work and I love my job. Architecture, for me, is a passion. I genuinely feel very lucky that my passion has become my job. Because of that, it’s never really felt like a job. All I’ve wanted to be since I was small is an architect and when I made it, I couldn’t believe it. If you’re passionate about something and you’re able to make it into a career, then go for it. And if you’re ever doing a job that makes you unhappy, then do your best to change it. I appreciate it’s not that easy for some, but change it if you can. Life is too short.
My advice to my younger self would be to spend more time with your kids – because they grow up too fast. It’s the downside of my job – I’ve been away a lot. But time and health are the most important things and I wish I’d spent more time with my kids. My kids are amazing.
One life lesson I wish I’d learned sooner is understand accounts. I was an architect and designer that started a business and yet, at the time, I knew nothing about money management. I’ve learned a lot more about maths in life than I did at school. I just wish they’d told me about accounts rather than long division.
MOBIE (Ministry of Building Innovation and Education) is focused on transforming the way homes are designed, built and lived in. It aims to inspire innovation in the housing sector by promoting modern, sustainable and affordable housing solutions, as well as educating and engaging young people in architecture, design and construction through a variety of educational programmes, competitions and initiatives.
George Clarke and MOBIE are working with homeless charity, Oasis Community Housing, to launch Gingerbread Street – a gingerbread building competition on display at The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle, from December 4th-27th 2024.
For more information, visit www.thebiscuitfactory.com/blogs/news/gingerbread-street-christmas-at-the-biscuit-factory
