Jan Trbizan: From Ljubljana to London's Super Prime Real Estate

In this episode, I recap my conversation with Jan Trbizan from 2020. At the time, Jan was the Technical and Design Director for Northacre, a brand synonymous with London's super prime properties. Jan's journey began in Ljubljana, Slovenia, with aspirations of becoming a surgeon before pivoting to architecture. He navigated through the tight-knit professional circles of Slovenia and made a bold move to London in 2009 amidst a hiring freeze due to recession. Through perseverance, including sending nearly 1000 CVs and making direct appeals to firms, he landed a role at Squire and Partners, where he built a successful career. Jan discusses the differences between working as a consultant versus client-side, emphasizing the broader perspective and appreciation he gained for the complexity of real estate projects. This episode highlights Jan's determination, adaptability, and growth as an architect and developer in the real estate industry.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:19 Jan Trbizan's Early Career in Slovenia

01:19 Challenges in the Slovenian Professional Scene

02:04 Breaking into the London Architecture Scene

02:22 The Struggle to Find a Job in 2009

03:03 A Creative Approach to Job Hunting

04:39 Landing the Job at Squire and Partners

06:36 Transition to Northacre and Client-Side Insights

07:18 The Broader Perspective of Architecture

08:51 Conclusion and Podcast Outro

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