In the first edition of Meet the Team, we sit down with Aaron McLeod, Operations Director at Dunlop Heywood, to discuss his career journey, insights into the rating industry and what businesses need to know about upcoming changes.
What’s been your proudest career moment to date?
The day I became Operations Director in 2021 was definitely my proudest moment. Taking over the day-to-day operations of the business whilst managing the senior team and forming a new leadership team to plan the future of the business was a significant milestone for me. It represented not just personal growth, but the opportunity to shape the direction of our company.
Can you walk us through what a typical day looks like for you?
My role brings together the crucial elements of the business – from the sales team to the finance team to the surveying team. A typical day involves liaising closely with colleagues throughout the business, ensuring they have all the support and guidance required to maximise their personal performance and ultimately the company’s performance.
While I’m occasionally client-facing, most of my day involves internal interactions with all our teams, as well as working with the wider LRG senior team. It’s very much about being the connecting point between different parts of the business.
Looking at the rating and property industry, what’s the biggest change you’ve witnessed in the last 5-10 years?
The most significant change I’ve observed is the decreasing number of rating surveyors in the industry. More property graduates seem to be taking alternative routes rather than pursuing rating, which is different from what we saw 5-10 years ago.
While this is somewhat understandable, rating is a very complex area of valuation and property, it’s also something I’d like to see change. Rating is challenging, but it’s also incredibly interesting and rewarding for those whose pursue it as a career.
What trends or challenges should businesses be aware of right now?
There are several key areas businesses need to watch. The upcoming Autumn budget in 2025 will be crucial for business rates announcements that will affect many companies moving forward. We’re potentially looking at a General Anti Avoidance Rule, which could significantly impact landlord with empty properties in their portfolios, adding another unwelcome financial burden.
Beyond that, we have the removal of the retail relief from April 2026. Depending on what’s announced around the retail multipliers effective from the same date, this could severely impact many businesses. Retail and hospitality businesses have already been under significant cost pressures for years due to the growth of online retail and changes like city centre office workers working from home.
Th recent changes in Employer’s National Insurance and minimum wage have already had a huge impact on businesses during tough times, so it’s crucial that companies stay informed about upcoming changes., We’re still waiting for the Government to announce the new Retail & Hospitality multipliers for April 2026, but businesses should stay in the loop to get ahead of the changes and plan accordingly.
Another key moment this year will be when businesses receive their 2026 Draft List Rateable Values in Q4. This will give them the opportunity to estimate their business rates bills from April 2026 onwards.
What’s something people might not know about you?
I’m a big Manchester United fan! If I wasn’t doing this, ideally, I’d be a premier league footballer! But more realistically, I’d probably be working in a sports-related job, as sport is my passion – football in particular.
From Football Dreams to Business Operations: Meet Aaron McLeod
