From skiing to scooters, sustainability is key for Alex Solk

PUTTING young professionals first will be top of the agenda as future pro∙manchester welcomes Alex Solk as its new chairman.

The 29-year-old associate architect, from Sheppard Robson, was voted in to the role after serving as vice chairman and is looking forward to building on the organisation’s success and creating new opportunities to support members aged under 35.

He said: “I first became involved with pro∙manchester about three-and-a-half years ago and I have seen the future pro∙manchester committee grow more successful and diverse in that time.

“In my role, I support the chairman of pro∙manchester and implement his messages at the younger members level. We are looking to deliver the same goals so at the moment my committee is looking at what form this could take and how we can contribute to the aspirations of pro∙manchester and recognise what younger members need.

“We have been talking about working with the city’s universities and looking at ways to get pro∙manchester out into the community in a proactive way.”

Solk, who lives in West Didsbury, heads up the sustainability team at Sheppard Robson and said this is also an important issue to him personally.

“Sustainability is part of my home and work life. In the office, my work focuses on delivering all our buildings to the highest sustainable standards. Few people realise buildings are the country’s biggest polluters so my impact in this area can be significant.

“I incorporate this into my own life as far as possible, riding my scooter to work, recycling and sourcing energy for my home from renewable sources.”

Outside of work, Solk, who was awarded the Emap Construction Future Leaders award for architecture earlier this year, is a keen skier.