Spotlight on Professional Support Services

16 May 2018

Chandra Mistry, Mechanical Engineer Compliance and Energy Professional Services Unit Directorate of Estates and Facilities, tells about us about his role managing the University’s vast estate

As part of a campaign to raise awareness of the different types of work our Professional Support Services (PSS) staff do and the valuable contribution they make to the University, we’ll be bringing you a series of staff profiles from across the PSS. This week we spoke to Chandra Mistry in the Directorate of Estates and Facilities. 

Can you tell us about what your role entails? 

I joined the Professional Services Unit last year, having worked previously at University College London and the Science Museum. 

The Professional Services Unit team is responsible for a wide range of estate management duties and deemed guardians of the estates buildings and it engineering assets - that is over 400 premises which include; high tech laboratories, teaching, museums, space research, medical, and residential facilities.

I am a charted engineer so my day to day role involves developing and managing the planned maintenance regimes and specifications for the mechanical and energy related engineering assets. This includes utilities such as water, gas, oil, renewables (e.g. solar, rainwater harvesting) as well as systems that maintain the building’s environment. This is to ensure that buildings are maintained to high standards and meet all health and safety and statutory requirements, providing a safe environment for occupants to undertake their day to day activities. 

What do you enjoy about your job?

I enjoy working with a dedicated team of professionals and stakeholders on varied estate related projects. It’s a great feeling of achievement knowing you are a valued part of a team and can contribute in setting standards in the construction of new building and refurbishments. But it doesn’t stop there as we continue maintaining these buildings for their entire life time. 

It is a cradle to grave approach!

Oh the boring part, but essential, as guardians of the University’s estate, we manage thousands of health and safety and statutory compliance documents and records too.

What do you like about working at the University?

I feel privileged to work for a world class academic leader. When the opportunity arose at The University of Manchester, it was at the top of my list. It states a lot about an organisation when it attracts you primarily by its reputation and ethics. 

It truly is an environment where your mind is constantly developing and where you are encouraged and supported to do so. 

On personal level, I like the challenges of working for an established institution that is approaching 200 years old. It’s inspiring to see how it’s evolved and grown through time and developed great minds like Rutherford, Chadwick to present day Brian Cox. Whoever you are and whatever your role in this organisation, you can’t help feeling that you are part of its development and aspirations into the next century. Who knows what the next exciting University of Manchester contribution to mankind, the world and the universe will be? Superluminal Flight…?  

If you would like your job to be featured next please contact uninews@manchester.ac.uk with the subject ‘Proud to be PSS’.