David Macdonald

David Macdonald Email and Phone Number

Head of Estates at Wireless Infrastructure Group @ Wireless Infrastructure Group
united kingdom
David Macdonald's Location
Royal Leamington Spa, England, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
About David Macdonald

Profile:Head of Group Property with 25 years experience operating critical national infrastructure for FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 corporations in the UK and overseas, controlling £200m+ property opex and £2bn asset value. Inspires high performance teams to shape large & complex property portfolios and builds game-changing relationships up to board level to deliver exceptional results. Adaptable to insource or outsource models, with experience leading in-house property dept of 75+ through series of multi-billion pound mergers & acquisitions and managing a total outsource contract for 30,000+ properties. Entrepreneurial thought leader with track record for unearthing opportunities to reduce cost and unlock value in real estate, spanning sectors including infrastructure, technology, communications and energy & utilities. Mission:To align real estate strategy to an organisation's vision and purpose by delivering transformational property programmes so the property estate becomes the foundation upon which organisational aims and objectives can be realised.Accomplishments:Managed 40,000+ property assets for Vodafone, Telefonica, Arqiva and Wireless Infrastructure Group including prime office, TV studios, radio masts, data centres and satellite earth stations in the UK and internationally.Secured 17,500+ property consents to support network deployment for customers inc. BBC, ITV, BT, Virgin Media, Vodafone, O2, EE, Airwave and Network Rail together with government department’s inc. DECC and DCMS.Consistently executed 2,500+ estates management transactions p.a. with landlords inc. Forestry Commission, National Trust, Scottish Power, The Crown Estate, MOD and Severn Trent Water.Expert speaker at conferences, seminars and in the media providing insights into the Electronic Communications Code, 5G technology & rollout and the UK's property regime and marketplace.Qualifications:Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a Registered Valuer.

David Macdonald's Current Company Details
Wireless Infrastructure Group

Wireless Infrastructure Group

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Head of Estates at Wireless Infrastructure Group
united kingdom
Employees:
63
David Macdonald Work Experience Details
  • Wireless Infrastructure Group
    Head Of Estates
    Wireless Infrastructure Group Dec 2017 - Present
    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 the Group’s property cost expenditure.
  • Cornerstone (Ctil)
    Head Of Property & Estates
    Cornerstone (Ctil) Oct 2015 - Nov 2017
    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 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.
  • Arqiva
    Head Of Estates & Property
    Arqiva Jun 2013 - Sep 2015
    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, 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.
  • Arqiva
    National Estates & Asset Manager
    Arqiva Nov 2010 - Jun 2013
    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 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.
  • Arqiva
    National Asset Manager
    Arqiva Sep 2008 - Nov 2010
    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 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”.
  • National Grid
    Regional Asset Manager - North Region
    National Grid Aug 2004 - Sep 2008
    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.
  • Crown Castle
    Regional Asset Manager
    Crown Castle Apr 2002 - Aug 2004
    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.
  • Crown Castle
    Investment Surveyor
    Crown Castle Jul 2000 - Apr 2002
    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 stage.
  • Crown Castle
    Portfolio Manager
    Crown Castle May 1999 - Jul 2000
    Warwick
    Joined as acquisition surveyor, promoted to portfolio manager with overall responsibility for newly acquired portfolio of 821 sites from T-Mobile.
  • Bilfinger Gva
    Site Acquisition Surveyor
    Bilfinger Gva Jun 1996 - May 1999
    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.
  • Gerald Eve
    Assistant Valuation Surveyor
    Gerald Eve Jul 1995 - Sep 1995
    Glasgow
    Summer work experience. Scottish NHS Estate Valuation. Survey and measurement. Depreciated Replacement Cost valuation.
  • Glasgow City Council
    Assistant Development Surveyor
    Glasgow City Council Jul 1993 - Jul 1994
    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.

David Macdonald Education Details

  • University Of Paisley
    University Of Paisley
    2:1
  • Wick High School
    Wick High School
    5 Scottish Higher Grades; 2 A'S, 2 B'S, 1 C

Frequently Asked Questions about David Macdonald

What company does David Macdonald work for?

David Macdonald works for Wireless Infrastructure Group

What is David Macdonald's role at the current company?

David Macdonald's current role is Head of Estates at Wireless Infrastructure Group.

What schools did David Macdonald attend?

David Macdonald attended University Of Paisley, Wick High School.

Who are David Macdonald's colleagues?

David Macdonald's colleagues are John Elliot, Allan Poole, Debbie Streeter, Kenneth Kerrigan, Phil Dean, Glen Carolo, Sam Richardson.

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