Towngate’s personal assistant, Lucy Rotchell, is the latest to take part in our colleague Q&A — offering her unique perspective on the property sector, her role, and the one rule she’d implement if she was in charge… 

1. What’s your favourite element of your role at Towngate?

Being the personal assistant for a close-knit team means I can provide support for everyone and establish a strong relationship with each colleague. I’ve previously worked in large, corporate firms, and I don’t miss bumping into someone in the lift and not knowing who they are or what they do — despite working for the same company!

2. What’s your biggest work achievement to date?

For almost two years now, I have been supporting our marketing manager, Julia Ford, with our internal and external communications, alongside my PA role. And, in January this year, I started my academic journey with the Chartered Institute of Marketing, having just handed in my final first year assignment. The fact that this whole journey began because Julia saw some potential in me, and encouraged me to enhance my career, feels like a big achievement in itself. 

3. Name one thing people might not know about you.

I have a huge aversion to clusters of small holes – Trypophobia — they make my skin crawl. Don’t Google it, you’ll regret it!

4. What one word would you use to describe the property sector?

Diverse.

5. Describe what you get up to on a typical weekend.

I love company, so spending time with my family and friends is always at the top of my weekend to-do list. I enjoy going out for breakfast with my husband and two children, meeting up for coffee with friends, and tucking into a Sunday roast at my parents’ house. 

6. If one of your colleagues could win an award who would it be and why?

I’d have to go with Jake, our facilities manager, for having the most organised personal life, planned further in advance than anyone I’ve ever known. I considered myself organised until I met Jake. It’s not uncommon for him to have quizzed us by Tuesday morning what we’re doing the following weekend, or to ask us in November what our plans are for Easter! 

7. If you were in charge of Towngate for the day, what would be your No.1 objective?

My main objective would always be to make sure morale was high, and that all the staff were happy and engaged. 

8. Describe your job to an alien.

My role in a nutshell involves providing secretarial support and day-to-day administrative assistance to the directors and managers. Being a personal assistant requires having good organisational skills and attention to detail, as well as a proactive approach to your work. On the marketing side, the role is varied — from visiting tenants and conducting research tasks to liaising with advertising agencies and planning social media content, no two days are the same.

9. If you could trade places with anyone in the world for a day, who would you choose?

Not one specific person, but just anyone who is musically gifted. I played the clarinet growing up but gave it up in my late teens — a real regret of mine. My daughter plays the piano and my son the guitar, and I love hearing them practise. Maybe my resolution for 2024 should be to learn a new musical instrument!

10. What’s the best advice you were ever given?

If you’ve made a mistake or gone wrong somewhere, hold your hands up and own it — in my experience, it’s always best to face things head on.