Meet Mike Billington

02 Jul 2024

Mike Billington is Head of Faculty Estates. We caught up with Mike to find out more about his role and what he likes to do outside of work.

Can you tell me about your role?

Any managerial success is often reliant upon their team and my team plays an important part in ensuring the smooth operation and development of the Faculty’s occupied estate As a single point of contact, we address both large-scale projects and everyday issues, to help create  an environment that works effectively for both teaching and research.

My role has evolved significantly over the years. Being appointed as a Faculty Estates Officer to the Faculty of Science and Engineering in 1996, to bridge the service gaps (identified by all Faculties at the time), between Faculty and the Estates Directorate. This was, and to a great extent still is, a strategic role looking ahead to what the Faculty needs as a built environment within which to develop. Communicating information between Faculty and the Estates Directorate to influence planning of the estate and its management both physically and financially is key to ensuring the campus develops in line with Faculty aspirations.  

My sphere of responsibilities continues to be quite diverse, ranging from handling routine complaints about facilities to managing a collaborative ‘mouse rewilding project’. We are involved in the logistics of moving to new buildings as well as facilitating new departmental equipment and overseeing the setting up of new laboratories. We also support the Faculty’s diverse events and celebrations such as the installation of a Christmas tree in Engineering Building A and the Dean’s annual summer celebration. It really is a varied role!

What are your priorities at the moment?

We’re very much focused on improving how we manage project delivery, which has become more challenging with increased costs. There is a lack of understanding about why these increases are happening, so we are trying to develop better ways to communicate these changes.

Another priority is space management. With the shift towards hybrid working, we've noticed that a significant amount of space across campus is underutilised. This underutilisation leads to unnecessary costs, such as heating and lighting for spaces that are not being effectively used. We therefore want to come up with a more efficient model for space utilisation that aligns with our working patterns.

What’s your favourite thing about the role?

The variety of the work and the people I work with. From interacting with landscapers and cleaners to discussions with the Dean of the Faculty, I find each interaction interesting and rewarding.

How long have you worked at the University?

28 years.

What roles have you held previously?

I began my career as an apprentice plumber in 1980 at Vale Royal Council. Whilst undertaking day release training and development over twelve years, I progressed to being a Repairs Inspector, Repairs Manager and Housing Officer before becoming a Chartered Builder (Surveyor). In 1990 I was a Works Officer for the NHS managing a team of trades people primarily undertaking refurbishments of community care hospitals around cheshire. In 1992, I worked for The  Property Services Agency (Department for the Environment) as a Professional and Technical Officer, managing MoD and HMRC premises across the North West. I then transferred to WS Atkins, a large construction consultancy, and was involved with the construction of the Manchester Arena and became one of its first managers overseeing the technical aspects of operating the Arena and associated buildings, including Victoria Station.

In 1996, I joined the University as one of four new Faculty Estates Officer posts, each acting for their respective Faculty as a single point of contact. I stepped out of the role for a few years and into the Maintenance team, to manage west campus buildings but returned in 2003 to assist the interim Dean with estate planning for the Faculty in the lead up to the merger of 2004.

As the scale of the Faculty grew, the scope of my responsibilities grew with it and the role changed to Head of Estates for FSE, whereby I acquired a team of three building professionals, along with an administrator to successfully develop the interface between Estates and the various newly formed departments, together with the Faculty’s first Associate Dean for Estates.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I stay active by going to the gym where I take part in high intensity circuit training at least three times a week. However, it's not just about fitness, I really enjoy the social interaction with the diverse group of people there. When I'm not at the gym, I spend a lot of time outdoors with my two Labradors. We usually cover about 10 kilometres on walks whenever we can. Although I used to cycle quite a bit, I've had to cut down on that as I also have two teenage children who keep me fully occupied with taxi duties and compulsory football and gymnastics watching! My son has just completed his first year studying Business and Entrepreneurship at Lancaster University, and my daughter has just taken her GCSE’s and is a member of a successful Cheer team.

If you could only eat one thing, what would it be?

Without a shadow of a doubt, it would be Indian food with Thai being a close second. My dream would be to have a chef who could cook for me at every mealtime.