Jonathan kindly agreed to be our "five minutes" with and we stole a rare insight into his working week, experience and thoughts about Harley Street and the surrounding areas.
Can you tell us a little bit about your work?
The London Clinic is an independent hospital and charity based on Harley Street and Devonshire Place. We were established in 1932 – it’s our 90th anniversary next year – and we exist to provide excellent healthcare across a breadth of surgical and medical expertise.
Describe your average day.
As the Property and Strategic Programmes Director, I spend much of my day (certainly more than I’d like) in meetings. My day is typically split between working with the Property team on the operational needs of our building estate; maintenance and refurbishment; and the higher-level planning and implementation of wider strategic projects.
How did you get to where you are today?
My background is in construction and development, where I worked across all sectors ranging from new build office towers, to refurbishment of listed housing complexes, new schools and even the new Library of Birmingham.
This variety of projects and the broad range of stakeholders with their differing aspirations and expectations provided a great baseline education for the complexities of healthcare property and in particular the nuances of managing the latest technologies in The London Clinic’s 1930s-built main hospital, alongside all the differing needs of the patients, consultants and staff.
How has Covid-19 impacted your organisation?
Like everywhere it has been huge, from the revised pathways, increased PPE and general anxiety that the pandemic has brought. 18 months in it is amazing to look back at what everyone has been through and all of the effort put in, whilst still keeping the core values of excellent clinical care, as well as their sense of humour.
What do you like most about being based on Harley Street?
The location. Situated between the teaching hospitals, the area attracts the very best clinicians, who all work within world-class facilities and buildings that retain the character and charm of the early 20th century. This proximity ensures that patients can come to Harley Street secure in the knowledge that they will get the best possible care and be able to be diagnosed and, if necessary, treated quickly and efficiently in one small geographical area.
What are your thoughts on the future of the Harley Street Area?
The area is so much more than just healthcare. The diversity of community across retail, commercial, residential and of course healthcare suggests that it is ideally set up to benefit and compliment the increasingly digitised and fast-paced world.
How does the Harley Street Medical Area Partnership support your business?
It provides a fantastic forum for all of the businesses in the area to work together to enhance the neighbourhood through multiple initiatives, agreed, designed and driven by the partnership.
How could a visitor to the area spend their time here?
I’m no fan of shopping but if that’s your thing we’re so well located, with Marylebone High Street and of course being so close to Oxford Street. For me though, I love Regents Park, aside from just being a great oasis of green next to the busiest road in Europe, it also has some wonderful events such as the Frieze London art fair, Taste of London, the open air theatre and, of course, the zoo.
Any particular recommendations or hidden gems?
Not so much hidden but La Fromagerie is an absolute favourite.
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