David Macdonald Email & Phone Number

West Midlands, England, United Kingdom

Senior operational role to lead the Estates function for Wireless Infrastructure Group as the company embarks on an ambitious growth phase following an investment of £575m in the company by Brookfield Infrastructure in December 2019. Key objective is to prime the Group’s property estate to support provision of high capacity, 5G-ready infrastructure. Remit extends to the operational implementation of the new Electronic Communications Code, leading estates transactional programmes and managing… Show more Senior operational role to lead the Estates function for Wireless Infrastructure Group as the company embarks on an ambitious growth phase following an investment of £575m in the company by Brookfield Infrastructure in December 2019. Key objective is to prime the Group’s property estate to support provision of high capacity, 5G-ready infrastructure. Remit extends to the operational implementation of the new Electronic Communications Code, leading estates transactional programmes and managing the Group’s property cost expenditure. Show less

Berkshire, England, United Kingdom

Strategic role to develop and implement estates management strategy and policies for Cornerstone (a joint venture between Vodafone and Telefonica pooling network infrastructure in the UK). Provide property management and asset management services to ensure the cost effective use of the site portfolio whilst maintaining and enhancing the overall quality of the network for the benefit of Vodafone and Telefonica's customers. Manage 30,000+ agreements with an annual property opex budget of £227m… Show more Strategic role to develop and implement estates management strategy and policies for Cornerstone (a joint venture between Vodafone and Telefonica pooling network infrastructure in the UK). Provide property management and asset management services to ensure the cost effective use of the site portfolio whilst maintaining and enhancing the overall quality of the network for the benefit of Vodafone and Telefonica's customers. Manage 30,000+ agreements with an annual property opex budget of £227m and act as principal for Cornerstone with estates management outsource partner Cluttons.Achievements:Delivery & Project Management> Renewed record 4,000 leases over 24 month period for Vodafone and Telefonica, by recruiting a high performance team and leveraging my network to engage landlord agents and drive the programme.Estates & Asset Management> Increased Net Promoter Score from landlords by 39 points for CTIL between 2015 and 2017 by devising an ambitious engagement programme including a wholesale review of policies and practices, delivering a series of culture change workshops and creating a range of new communication channels.Cost Management> Saved £2.8m of annual rental opex for Vodafone and Telefonica by negotiating lease surrenders and serving notice to quit on sites no longer required in the network as part of overall network consolidation strategy.Event Management> Led Cornerstone team securing prize for one of the best stands at the Royal Berkshire Show, an event to raise brand awareness with landlords, address issues or concerns face to face and provision of hospitality to express our gratitude for their part in maintaining our site network. Show less

Winchester, England, United Kingdom

Strategic, operational and financial accountability for Arqiva's 9,000 properties with an opex budget of £100m.Achievements:Strategy> Resourced a trebling of demand for Property Services over 12 months to deliver 6,000 transactions p.a., through creation of a scalable organisation, rapid recruitment and procuring multiple outsource providers. > Pioneered learning and development strategy by spearheading Graduate Training Programme to produce talent pipeline… Show more Strategic, operational and financial accountability for Arqiva's 9,000 properties with an opex budget of £100m.Achievements:Strategy> Resourced a trebling of demand for Property Services over 12 months to deliver 6,000 transactions p.a., through creation of a scalable organisation, rapid recruitment and procuring multiple outsource providers. > Pioneered learning and development strategy by spearheading Graduate Training Programme to produce talent pipeline, gaining RICS accreditation and recruiting initial intake of four graduates. Cost Management & Value Creation> Saved £9m rent from a £50m rent roll over five years by appointing 10 “champions” to lead categories, selecting specialist consultants on a no-win no-fee basis and empowering team of 25+ to innovate tactics. > Unlocked £6m value from an estate comprising a superfluous office, farmland and radio mast through analysing portfolio for opportunities, formulating divestment strategy, and selling properties ahead of forecasted £5.1m.Delivery & Project Management> Delivered early achievement of 40% coverage to meet DECC’s Smart Metering programme by designing acquisition strategy for 850 sites, developing negotiation tactics with 100’s of landowners and completing forward deals in the market. > Offset Business Rates liability due from customers by reducing £28m backlog down to £1m within a period of two years, leading a cross functional team, and earning teamwork award from the CEO. Thought Leadership> Interviewed for Modus magazine by the RICS, for an article highlighting infrastructure as the world’s biggest growth market and talked about the juxtaposition between the UK’s mature property regime and the extraordinarily fast-moving communications industry. > Promoted private sector investment in sustainability as a keynote speaker at the Upland Biodiversity Conference 2015 and showcased my team’s participation in a scheme to regenerate 150 acres of moorland in the Peak District. Show less

Warwick, England, United Kingdom

Estates Management and Property programme delivery accountability across Arqiva’s operational and corporate property estate in the UK and overseas, leading a team of c50 with rent and business rates opex of £70m.Key Achievements:> Led the team who delivered 100% town planning and property consent success rate on 1,154 sites to re-engineer the UK’s television broadcast transmission network for Digital Switchover by building on well-established trusting partnerships with local… Show more Estates Management and Property programme delivery accountability across Arqiva’s operational and corporate property estate in the UK and overseas, leading a team of c50 with rent and business rates opex of £70m.Key Achievements:> Led the team who delivered 100% town planning and property consent success rate on 1,154 sites to re-engineer the UK’s television broadcast transmission network for Digital Switchover by building on well-established trusting partnerships with local authorities, landlords, communities and stakeholder groups to secure a successful outcome. > The Prime Minister paid tribute to the success of the programme, saying ‘The UK’s switch to digital television has been the biggest single change to broadcasting for a generation. It has delivered more choice for millions of viewers and paved the way for exciting new services, securing our role as a global player in broadcasting and creative industries. The fact that this complex and challenging programme of change was delivered on time and under budget is a testament to the skill and dedication of all involved.’> Recognised by CEO as Top 10 leader amongst 400 following 2013 Gallup Q12 staff engagement survey, attending an advanced training event at Gallup's HQ in London. Show less

Warwick

Led a cross-functional team delivering property solutions for customers to drive new revenue for Arqiva’s £10m p.a. Corporate Accounts site share product.Key Achievement:Turned around product performance by improving customer satisfaction from 71% to 85%, delivering 95% of offer letters within 3 business days and consistently achieving project margins above target. My team earned the following praise from a customer, “Many thanks for your response to this request. I am clear… Show more Led a cross-functional team delivering property solutions for customers to drive new revenue for Arqiva’s £10m p.a. Corporate Accounts site share product.Key Achievement:Turned around product performance by improving customer satisfaction from 71% to 85%, delivering 95% of offer letters within 3 business days and consistently achieving project margins above target. My team earned the following praise from a customer, “Many thanks for your response to this request. I am clear that, without your support, we would not have won this business. The service you are offering has been revolutionised. It was responsive, timely and at a reasonable price”. Show less

Warwick, England, United Kingdom

Led team of 30 responsible for gaining all necessary property consents across National Grid Wireless's operational asset base in the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, to facilitate the deployment of networks for customers.Amongst the top 100 leaders in the company selected to attend Crown Castle’s week-long Global Leaders Forum in New York.

Bristol

Led team of 20 responsible for gaining all necessary property consents across Crown Castle's operational asset base in the South and West of England, and South Wales, to facilitate the deployment of networks for customers.

Paris, Frankfurt, Lisbon, Rome

Investment Surveyor acting as lead property advisor across 20 transactions within small multi-disciplined team established following creation of $2Bn investment vehicle, Crown Castle Europe, backed by US private equity.Key Achievement:Led property due diligence of $450m deal to acquire communications infrastructure from Italian state broadcaster, RAI, by analysing property database, sampling property agreements, completing site visits and supporting negotiations at preferred bidder… Show more Investment Surveyor acting as lead property advisor across 20 transactions within small multi-disciplined team established following creation of $2Bn investment vehicle, Crown Castle Europe, backed by US private equity.Key Achievement:Led property due diligence of $450m deal to acquire communications infrastructure from Italian state broadcaster, RAI, by analysing property database, sampling property agreements, completing site visits and supporting negotiations at preferred bidder stage. Show less

Warwick

Joined as acquisition surveyor, promoted to portfolio manager with overall responsibility for newly acquired portfolio of 821 sites from T-Mobile.

Glasgow

Employed by James Barr Chartered Surveyors, recently merged with Bilfinger GVA and seconded to Vodafone working in a multi-disciplined team to acquire 100's of sites for their 2G network throughout Scotland. Asset valuation of East of Scotland Water, United Distillers and Clyde Port Authority portfolio, providing a breadth of experience. Achieved MRICS qualifications at first attempt.

Glasgow

Summer work experience. Scottish NHS Estate Valuation. Survey and measurement. Depreciated Replacement Cost valuation.

Glasgow

Sandwich Year placement in Glasgow City Council's Estates Department, Property Development section, where duties included the marketing and disposal of surplus council assets such as land, houses, shops, offices and industrial units.

Bsc (Hons) Land Economics With European Property Studies, Property, 2:1

High School/Secondary Diplomas And Certificates, 5 Scottish Higher Grades; 2 A'S, 2 B'S, 1 C