The Built Environment is a crucial sector, playing a key role in shaping the commercial property landscape across the North East. Northern Insight Magazine sat down with Victoria Walton, Partner and Head of the Commercial Property team, to explore her career, discuss the future of the sector, and discover her favourite building.
Did you always envisage a career working in and around The Built Environment?
Since I was young, I had a clear ambition to succeed in my career. While I briefly considered other paths like veterinary medicine or accounting, my interest in becoming a solicitor was always strong.
Initially drawn to family law, my perspective shifted when I joined Swinburne Maddison and my training contract primarily involved property law. It was then that I discovered my enjoyment for this area, and since then, I haven’t looked back or considered any other career path. Over the years, my role has evolved to include work on significant regional developments.
Tell us about your current role?
I wear three hats! Partner, Lawyer and Head of the Commercial Property team.
In addition to managing my own caseload, I oversee a team handling a wide spectrum of commercial property and development issues. I find great satisfaction in collaborating with clients to understand their commercial goals and key motivations, and devising strategic plans to achieve them together.
Tell us about your team?
I am privileged to collaborate with an exceptional team of individuals at Swinburne Maddison. Our commitment to collaboration is a core value that ensures we integrate seamlessly across all departments, guaranteeing our clients receive optimal advice through a unified approach.
Our team is diverse, comprising both long-standing members who have grown with the firm and newcomers who bring fresh perspectives and experiences. It’s truly inspiring to witness the genuine dedication of our team members to their clients and their work, reflected in the collective effort we put forth to achieve outstanding results.
What are you currently working on?
Currently, I am working with multiple clients on a range of exciting projects. This includes completing on a third residential development site this year for a long-standing client and well as working on a number of other development projects across the team. We are seeing a lot of activity in all types of commercial property matters and as a team we are dealing with a lot of property finance work across all sectors throughout the whole of the UK.
What is your proudest career achievement?
Being appointed as a Partner in 2006 stands out as a significant achievement for me. I take pride in contributing to the growth and development of the firm to its current size and reputation.
Additionally, winning Property Law Firm of the Year in 2022 was a remarkable achievement. We have also been consistently recognised as a Top Tier firm for Commercial Property by The Legal 500 for six consecutive years, which is an incredible feeling and testament to our ongoing dedication and excellence in the sector.
What is your own favourite building?
My favourite building has to be the Sunderland Empire. This place, over 100 years old, is brimming with character and still has many of its original features. It holds a special place in my heart because I grew up watching musicals and performances there. Nowadays, I’m thrilled that my daughter shares my love for musicals, and we often go together.
How do you see your industry evolving over the next 10 years?
Technological advancements will undoubtedly continue to progress, with Artificial Intelligence playing a significant role. While change can be daunting for some, embracing it will be essential for the success of our business and clients.
Following the recent general election and Labour’s appointment, we anticipate several shifts. Labour’s manifesto outlines plans to upskill the workforce in the construction sector and liberalise the apprenticeship levy. This aligns with their ambitious goal to build 1.5 million new homes on sustainable land, prioritising brownfield sites. Additionally, we expect an increased emphasis on climate change and the
sustainability of buildings.
What does the future hold for your department?
The future looks incredibly promising for our commercial property department. We continue to grow and are excited to announce the recruitment of several new team members who will be joining us over the next few months, as well continuing to recruit for additional lawyers to join the team.
Our expansion plans reflect our commitment to providing a top-tier service to our clients and ensuring we have the expertise and capacity to handle an increasing volume of significant projects. We are confident that our team will continue to achieve great results, drive forward exciting developments, and solidify our position as leaders in the commercial property sector.
This article was originally featured in Northern Insight Magazine Issue 104 on pages 112 and 113. This can be viewed online by clicking here.
