Work experience - Peter Haymes, senior planner, Taylor Young

Stuart Watson, Regeneration & Renewal, 19 September 2008

Based at the firm's new office in Manchester, he is working on a number of UK regeneration projects, including a masterplan for Warrington town centre.

What has been your most beneficial career experience to date? At the New Deal for Communities project in Salford, we worked with the community throughout the process. If you get people directly involved in the regeneration of their neighbourhoods it produces more satisfaction and the work will last longer.

What's the best advice you've been given? When I was away travelling before joining (environmental charity) Groundwork, a man on a boat in Laos told me: "He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever." I have always questioned things throughout my career. It can land you in hot water, but it also means you can make positive changes.

What's the best training you've had? At the New Deal for Communities, I took a Certificate in First Line Management. At the time, I was managing staff and it was something that I'd never been taught to do. It helped me to get the best out of people, to understand them and their strengths.

What book would you recommend? Len Grant is a photographer who has produced a number of books on the renaissance of Manchester. From the Ground Up: New Islington 2001-2007 depicts the community-led approach to the regeneration of a notorious sink estate. It was a revolutionary process and the book shows what it involved.

What do you wish you'd known when you started out? You shouldn't take professional criticism personally, but use it constructively for your development. When you leave university you sometimes think you've been given the handbook to the professional world, but you really only start learning when you start working.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2000: Graduates from Manchester University with a masters degree in town planning and starts work for Manchester City Council as a planner.

2004: Joins environmental charity Groundwork as a community liaison officer.

2005: Works on Salford's NDC programme as a senior planner.

2007: Joins Taylor Young.