London Belgravia Group is investing heavily in our Major Projects service to allow us to continue to grow and support the many developers working in this challenging, but exciting, area. Building on the team’s growth over the first half of this year, we’re delighted to welcome James McGloin as our new Director of Major Projects.
James brings with him over 20 years of experience in the property, building and insurance industry, working closely with owners, developers and contractors to support major projects valued from £25 million to the hundreds of millions of pounds.
In his last role he was Regional Director for London at leading warranty provider Premier Guarantee. Prior to which his experience in development and real estate management in the London market means he has a keen understanding of the pressures on developers and building owners.
We sat down with James to discuss this exciting new role, why he chose LBB and what he sees as the challenges and opportunities for the UK real estate market.
Where does your passion for Major Projects stem from?
I’m joining LBB at an exciting moment both in the industry and in the growth of our Major Projects team. Many of the most significant developments in the UK have been impacted by recent industry changes and challenges – from the new Building Safety Regulator requirements for tall buildings, to uncertainty around supply chains and the impact of rising interest rates.
Yes, there are challenges, but there is also huge opportunity for the industry to thrive by supporting building a better UK. Across the UK, there is high demand for developments in particular housing, continued regeneration, and retrofit of buildings to meet the UK’s net zero goals. We’re seeing commitment from government to enable this – such as changes to permitted development rights. I see our role as insurers as helping to give developers the certainty they need for continued success.
As an industry we need to take a proactive approach to address challenges and assist our clients navigate the recent industry changes. I’m excited to join LBB, which has an amazing track record working with projects of this scale and is demonstrating ongoing commitment to client success with the investment in our growing the Major Projects team. Our focus is on making sure higher-risk and high-value schemes across the UK continue to thrive, by providing specialised expertise where it is needed most.
What projects inspire you the most?
I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in some fantastic projects over my career. It is always a pleasure to be part of a project that makes a new contribution to London’s iconic skyline, Thames City is one such new development, while Landmark Pinnacle was an exciting addition to Canary Wharf.
There is also so much history in London, from 9 Millbank which is a residential project in Westminster, to Balfron Tower a refurbishment which is preserving one of the best examples of the city’s brutalist architectural period, being able to support developments at the heart of the city is an honour.
I’m passionate about regeneration projects – which can often be complex, with multiple owners and long timelines – but play such a key part in revitalising areas across London and the UK. My work in this area includes Woodberry Down, which committed to preserving the natural environment and energy conservation. I am also proud to have been part of Kidbrooke Village, a £1bn development which combines residential, green spaces, retail and business units to build a thriving community.
For me insurance is about so much more than quotes – my passion is for ensuring that the construction sector achieves the highest of standards, and using my experience to ensure our clients receive the quality, streamlined service they expect, so that they can build fantastic developments that are improving our city, while respecting its history and environment.
Why are independent brokers like LBB vital for the market to thrive?
Our independence allows us to act as impartial advisors to both developers, owners, administrators, and insurers – connecting the industry and using our insight to make sure everyone gets the service they need to succeed. Our experience in the insurance industry means we can make sure clients are getting the right policy, at the right point in their projects. Our client services team will be on hand throughout the build period to make it a smooth process and take you all the way to sign off and beyond.
I’d encourage all developers to engage early with their broker – we’re always happy to have a conversation. We can facilitate at every stage, each project is unique, and we’ll not only make sure your warranty and cover are in place when it is needed, we can also offer so much more than insurance. For me, the multidisciplinary approach is key, particularly with complex projects, such as tall buildings or long-term regeneration projects which could be phased over 20 years. With our understanding of construction and insurance, we act as a bridge between people across the industry.
I see my role as a facilitator – I connect developers with the expertise they need when they need it, from building control advisors, to finance partners. Insurers also often seek added reassurance regarding the progress and quality of complex or part complete projects.
LBB offers clients thorough technical support through a collaboration of multi-disciplinary consultancy partners which makes us a valuable asset for projects with complex requirements especially those subject to changes in the Building Safety Act (BSA) and Higher-Risk Building (HRBs) regulations.
Our approach lets developers focus on what they do best, rather than be bogged down in compliance and paperwork. As well as multi-disciplinary support, we help make the insurance and warranty process easy to avoid common problems we see in the industry, such as having projects delayed at the last minute when certificates aren’t issued, because of simple administrative issues such as a missed payment.
Ultimately, we all want every project to be successful – from investors, to developers, expert advisors, to contractors, and partners across the insurance industry – as brokers we can help facilitate those close relationships, re-risking and problem solving at every stage.
A final thought – what do you see as the most exciting opportunities for developers working in the UK?
LBB has a reputation for offering a comprehensive service to our clients who are responsible for some of the most significant projects in UK construction.
Developers are a cornerstone of the UK economy – we might simply see these as buildings, but each project is so much more than that. Giving people a roof over their head, and creating spaces where businesses thrive, connecting communities and underpinning the continued growth of key national services such as healthcare and education.
It is a complex time – with political, economic, and environmental challenges – but with the right management we can navigate this together, while also making sure that the UK has more resilient, beautiful and sustainable developments.
The London Belgravia Group is a leading provider of latent defects insurance and other construction policies. Get in touch today to speak to James about how he and the team can support your next project – either on LinkedIn or using our Contact page.
