AUTUMN 2017
Why did you move to Bath from Wales? I got invited to a Bath Rugby away day as part of the 1989 pre-season training, following which I got asked if I wanted to play for the club. I also then attended the University of Bath to study structural and civil engineering.
Q & A
The
IESTYN LEWIS
89-95 Redcliff Street Bristol, BS1 6LU www. iesis. net www. rengendevelopments. com
There seems to be a lot of different aspects to the business, why have you done this? The 2008 global financial crisis was probably not the best time to start a business, however we knew if we kept the business broad and didn’ t turn down any opportunities we could create a certain robustness so if one particular sector experienced a downturn, we had contingency and could continue to push forward. I think the lesson from 2008 is you need to be fast on your feet, always, and give yourself as much opportunity to grow.
How did you transition from Rugby to Property? The game went professional in‘ 95 and I could see I wasn’ t good enough to make Rugby my full time career. So I moved to London to work as a structural engineer. Having come from a heavy industrial mining area in South Wales I was surrounded by engineering so it was a natural career progression.
Why did you start Iesis Group? The 2008 recession hit and I needed to think laterally as work opportunities were very limited.
What does being an entrepreneur mean to you? Dedicating yourself to creating something out of nothing, which takes risk, drive, commitment, resourcefulness and perseverance. I see opportunities everywhere, and for me it’ s about embracing all of the challenges and failures that come with those opportunities. I remember in 2010 we ended up taking on work in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Mauritania, all places I had never been before, to do some heavy civil engineering, also something new to me, because we needed to keep going. It’ s about never giving up.
What drives you? Has there been someone or something that has inspired your career? I have been very fortunate to spend time with some very successful people in both the sporting and business environments. I grew up in a small mining town in South Wales and I think there was this grit that was ingrained in me from a very young age that helped me remain focused, regardless of obstacles. Working with good people, wanting to grow the business, and being part of a successful team is ultimately what I am trying to create within the business.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job? Managing the various stakeholders within the business both internally and externally. It is an allconsuming work environment that needs constant attention. You are never able to just switch off- but that is part of the exciting and life-changing journey of being an entrepreneur.
What is the highlight of your job as CEO? At the end of every year I always take time to look back and see the changes the business and staff have gone through. There is always improvement and structured growth within the business. The core management team has been together from the beginning, and seeing them grow alongside the business makes me feel proud. I take pleasure from seeing new people join the business and step into the senior management team. We have a great team.
Being able to say you once played alongside the likes of Gareth Chilcott, Mike Catt and Jeremy Guscott is not the usual CV for a Chief Executive. But for former Bath Rugby player Iestyn Lewis it’ s just one chapter in a career that has led to him starting and running his own company, Iesis Group, which is now one of the region’ s most successful property firms.
The company is responsible for delivering such sites in Bath as Widcombe Social Club, The Labour Exchange, Canal Bridge, Radway Service Station, Piccadilly Place, Bath Sea Cadets, The Former Baskervilles Gym( The Chapel), and 2 Lymore Gardens.
This Christmas Iesis Group celebrates its 10th anniversary. We have asked Iestyn a few questions on his transition from Bath Rugby player to entrepreneur and what it takes to create a diverse and prosperous company with international reach.
What project are you most proud of and why? The Exchange on James Street West in Bath is probably the most rewarding and challenging jobs we have completed in the city. The building has major historical relevance to the city and we were able to bring it back into beneficial use. It took a huge amount of effort and coordination with external parties, and I think the results are excellent.
Over the past ten years what has been one of the best things you’ ve done to expand the company? We have built great relationships with investors of the business, which has allowed us to diversify what the business offers and to grow faster than‘ I ever expected. We have also worked hard to develop great relationships with our clients and partners as we wouldn’ t be here without their support.
Do you have a real estate that“ got away”? There is always one that got away. What I have learned over 25 years in the industry is you can’ t dwell on anything for too long, you have to continue to face forward and move on very quickly, because things can always get away from you.
What area do you think is the next hub for property? Property runs in cycles. What might commercially work one day will be out the next. It is important to follow the cycle and to keep ahead of demand. We have obviously focused a lot on student developments and that sector has become extremely well serviced. But we are now moving into other areas that we consider less saturated and to have potential.
What do you do in your spare time? If you have any! I spend much of my spare time running around after my two children with their busy social lives. I am also a big Bath Rugby fan( of course!) so I can be found at the Rec most home games.
What do you see as the future for business? We have seen great expansion over the last ten years in a number of different areas and the focus is continuing to offer a multi-faceted delivery and expand the business on a national basis. We hope to open another office in 2018.
2007
10 years in business
ANNIVERSARY
2017