10QUESTIONS with Joe Averill

Our 10QUESTIONS feature asks members of the Freshfield community ten questions about their working life. Featuring client partners, colleagues and FF friends, our guests share some personal stories, views and fresh words of wisdom.

Our latest guest is Joe Averill, founder and managing director of specialist office search advisor LEVEL Workspace. Manchester born Joe began his career in high growth tech before moving into commercial property. He launched LEVEL in February 2022 to give tenants an impartial voice and was named one of Insider’s North West Property Disruptors in 2023.

How do you like to start your working day?
I would love to say there is consistency to my working days but there never is with managing school runs, meetings and getting to work. However, my perfect day is a morning gym session, brief walk and a coffee while reading what’s happening in the market.

Where and how do you come up with your best ideas?
I usually come up with my best ideas during team collaboration sessions or when I am at peace with no distractions. I get a lot of good ideas when away on holiday!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Be kind. Everyone you know is fighting a great battle that you know nothing about.

What does leadership mean to you?
100% for me, it’s emotional intelligence. To put yourself in the shoes of the other person and try to understand how they feel. With my team I tell them where my head is at, share the vision for LEVEL to receive their input and understand how I can support them to get to where they want to be.

What’s your top tip for achieving a work-life balance?
It’s something that can’t always be achieved no matter how hard you try. Being ambitious means sometimes it’s really hard to switch off. I praise those that have mastered the art of it. I try to keep my weekends free and my phone locked away on the weekend.

Which current or historical business figure do you most admire and why?
I’d say James Timpson, CEO of Timpson. What he has achieved is phenomenal. The reason why I’d say he is at the top of my list is his prioritisation of employee happiness and wellbeing throughout his successful journey.

What is your most trusted source of news?
Throughout the week I love the local news dropping into my inbox such as Business Cloud, Business Desk, Place North West and Insider Media. I’d say they are my most trusted sources.

What is your favourite brand and why?
I would say the Financial Times. I come across the paper a lot less frequently than the local news but there’s something about the FT that makes me feel differently than anything else out there. The premium feel, the write ups and maybe the setting too – as I usually read the FT in a more relaxed setting such as in a hotel while travelling.

What’s the most recent new skill you have learnt?
Management in my business. I have not been great at management previously due to LEVEL being my first venture, but I am picking it up as I go and I have noticed improvements in communication over the last six months in particular.

We all use them…what management jargon phrase do you use the most?
Reached out! “Have you ‘reached out’ to such and such” is a common phrase in our office and one we can’t seem to get away from!
away from!