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Gerry sat down with Alan Mak in the studio – bright and early! Alan, of Oxbridge Mak Development, talks property and investment here in London.
A transcript of the interview. (Gerard, host) You’re listening to Sino Radio. You’re with me Gerry. Now, Mary just popped out for two seconds because she likes to leave the serious stuffs up to me on this one. We got a new campaign. It’s called, “Made in Britain, Making it in China.” And of course with President Xi here, there and everywhere around in England and the news is huge, we’re looking up for angles of local companies on how they relate to China and businesses, and it seems a bit intense. So, we brought in someone from a bit of a local company actually, who can give us something on property and developments in property as well as investments because we know it’s huge. We all know it. In London, property is massive. So, in this studio this morning and getting up rather early (sorry about that one there) is Alan Mak. Alan, Good morning. (Alan, OMD) Hi Gerry, good morning to you. (Gerard) Now, you’re from Oxbridge Mak Development. The Oxbridge part, is it because it’s Cambridge & Oxford, what’s the name and where did it came from? (Alan) I get asked about that a lot. It’s came from a couple of point of views or concepts. One, it’s what we like to see as a hub that can attract some of the best minds to join our group or company; and also the spirit of Oxbridge, which is (of course) a lot more well known here in the UK than back in Asia where there is always a spirit of competition and cooperation to bring out the best—this is what we hope to do. It’s what we strongly believe in. (Gerard) That’s a very cool name and there’s Mak which is obviously your surname. (Alan) Yes, it’s our family surname and a tradition that came down from my grandparents who were builders. From China, they went to Malaysia. And spent a great chunk of their lives serving and building homes. I take pride actually to think that I can continue the legacy of my ancestors. (Gerard) Great! Wow, that’s a really good answer. Before we both get too far ahead of ourselves, in simple terms for someone who is just listening somewhere in London, what is it that Oxbridge Mak does? (Alan) All right, we are predominantly focused in the field of property development and we are also looking for partners for investments, and our particular focus is a little bit more towards two angles. One, which are homes, which are affordable because it is a national housing crisis. It’s not just in London. But we see it as a global issue everywhere. We don’t hear a lot of solutions from different private developers saying it’s something possible but it’s something which we have done a little bit in the past and we believe it’s possible provided that we get the right support from the government, the right kind of investors with the right kind of mindsets. And we like to think as well we are able to shape a little bit the, or how technology has embraced different types of industries and be a bit of the agent to bring technologies to home. How exactly it is going to roll out, we are not sure, but we would like to be a part of it, definitely! (Gerard) And you’re looking forward to the future, obviously. Give us something current then. Any project you’re working on around London? (Alan) I am currently working on an interesting project which is quite local to us or local to this station. It’s in Battersea Rise. A little bit of the history of the church project. It is built in 1823. So, it is actually one of the first building around in Battersea area way before all the structure came up next to it. The interesting part about this church building, it was also the first Civic Town Hall in the area before the boom came over a couple of decades later. (Gerard) Now, you got something really interesting I think. Obviously, you’re working on a church. That’s interesting. But, you actually got a history, a dissertation you did of “Marketing in China.” Now, that’s perfect for what we’re talking about in our campaign here. You must be a clever guy, Alan!? (Alan) Erm, I do not like to think of myself as a clever guy. (Gerard) (Laughs) (Alan) I would like to think of myself more of a person who is compassionate where what we see as a (sic) that’s how we come across issues where not just our just between our peers and what the nation is facing: People not being able to have their own “home,” nevermind dream home. We would like to be able to build people’s dream home and continue to do that. It’s our main passion. (Gerard) Cool! Where obviously anyone who wants to get in touch with you at Oxbridge Mak Development, how do they contact you? Go to website with a phone number? (Alan) That would be great! And you can always drop us a message. People who can give us ideas. People who would like to join us, in terms of talents or skills. Or those who are from financial institutions who would like to help us to grow onto our next phase. We welcome that contact. (Gerard) Great! Get involved in you think that’s right down your alley or perhaps who you work for. Or the business you’re involved in could link up with Oxbridge & Mak Development. Now, I notice on your website actually there is a quote from Albert Einstein, “The true sign of Intelligence is not Knowledge, but Imagination!” Really nice to chat to you, Alan. I feel like you’re, of course, got the right ideas, for London, helping to solve some problems we got here, as well as of course, being in property development. Now, the website is ww.oxbridgemak.com. Make sure you pop along. Have a little browse. Of course, you can message him on the website. And just to let you know it’s Mak, M.A.K. He’s the Mak, it’s Alan Mak. (Gerard) Alan, thank you so much for coming in. (Alan) It’s my great pleasure. Thank you so much for inviting me in. (end of transcript) OMD’s Impressive Progress On Internal fit-out construction for Thomas Memorial Church  |
