5 minutes with … Anil Singh Rana at Constructing Professional Development

Why did you choose construction as a career?

I stumbled into it, falling in love with the industry by chance 20 years ago after meeting my friend, Raymond, in London. He advised me to join London South Bank University part-time to study building surveying while working as an assistant building surveyor/project manager. I have never looked back.

What are you most proud of in your career to date?

Delivering 146 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) talks for the industry attended by 15,000 participants over 328 hours so far. Of the 146 webinars, 80 were delivered free as part of my “giving back” campaign during the pandemic. I have also set up a YouTube channel for colleagues in the industry to catch up on missed webinars. Last but not least, I am truly humbled to have mentored and been part of the chartership journey of 113 chartered surveyors globally over the past 14 years.

What has been the biggest challenge of your career to date?

I am always working and refreshing my skills to bring people together for seamless delivery on projects and try to champion exemplary teamwork. I aim for less fragmentation, better coordination and more collaboration to meet a client’s needs. I want to leave a legacy not just from a professional perspective but also on a personal level, ensuring everyone involved in a project has a long-lasting positive experience. 

If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

We need to think on our feet, adapt and deviate from traditional thinking where necessary and champion professional artistry. We need scope for digitalisation, innovation and to  work together for a truly creative and collaborative future. 

What is the most helpful advice that you have been given?

Giving back is fulfilling – advice from my mother. 

Name your favourite building in the world?

I have many favourites around the world but one that stands out for me is the oval-shaped Mauritius Commercial Bank building in the heart of Mauritius. I drive past it every day and admire it as I pass. 

Which famous building do you most dislike?

I try to get something positive from every building I see or visit. 

Which famous building do you wish you had worked on?

The Burj Khalifa, due to the vision, magnitude, complexity and global collaboration required to complete it. 

What single piece of advice would you give to someone starting out in your profession?

The construction industry is multidisciplinary, so find a discipline you are passionate about, seek plenty of advice, find your passion and follow it through consistently. If you are passionate about what you do, everything will come together effortlessly both academically and professionally. I often suggest five key attributes to young people entering the industry, PLLCC: passion, learning, listening, communicating and a can-do mindset.

Who do you most admire in the construction industry?

Everyone who is directly or indirectly contributing with a positive attitude. Then the rest becomes easy no matter how complex the problem.

What is your job like day to day?

Passionate, energetic, humorous, engaging, empathetic and upbeat

Do you have a life philosophy?

My mother taught me to “share relentlessly what I know and give back passionately what I have learnt”.

What do you think your best quality is?

I am always willing to give back through mentoring and try to put a smile on my colleagues’ faces

What trait do you most dislike in yourself? And in other people?

Not being able to achieve as much as I might in a day. Other people come from different walks of life, cultures, religions and environments so aligning with their values is paramount to get things moving in every aspect of life, with respect at the fore.

Name three things that you like

Buildings, reading (Building magazine since 2003), giving back and mentoring.

Tell us about a secret skill that we don’t know you have:

I can do a split jump, albeit the amateur version. 

What is your most prized possession?

The project managers of my life, Alinah and Neil. 

Early bird or night owl?

Night owl for working and early bird for dreaming.  

What is your favourite food?

Mauritian Chinese noodles, all day long, hence my inability to control my diet. 

What would your superpower be?

I wish I could go back in time and spend more time with my late mother.  

Anil Singh Rana FRICS is a project manager, mentor and founder at Constructing Professional Development (CPD) Ltd