Bogdan is our number one Maintenance Operative, going out and saving the day in his lovely LOWE van. No one has done as many miles as Bogdan as he goes from Brixton to Bournemouth, Winchester to Walthamstow ensuring that our guardians are cosy and safe. And not only does Bogdan work with us, he lives with us too!
So how did our Romanian hero end up here?
“I’m an environmental engineer by trade. I did placements in Romania at places such as a water treatment centre and a recycling centre to learn about the complicated processes that go into reducing our impact on the environment. After this I came to London in 2015 and started to work in the guardian industry as a maintenance operative and maintenance manager. This year I was looking for a change of scene but hoping to stay in the guardian industry when I came across LOWE by luck. I have now been working here for just over four months and it is definitely keeping me busy.”
What does your job entail?
“As the in-house maintenance operative I am the first one to deal with any maintenance issues. These issues vary so greatly I am kept on my toes. I have always been a practical, hands-on person so I really enjoy the challenge of solving these different problems.”
What is the best thing you have seen at one of our buildings?
“The great thing about being a maintenance operative in guardianship is that every building is so different. It’s crazy to see the buildings from when they have first been squatted and they are very sad and dirty, compared to after the guardians have moved in. Some guardians are so creative and really artistically decorate their rooms. “
What do you like most about your role?
“I like that there is no routine. I am not the kind of person who can do the same thing day in, day out. In this role there are no two days alike.”
How long have you lived as a guardian? What do you like about it?
“I have been living with LOWE for about four months in one of the council estates they have. I have been a guardian before LOWE and have been lucky enough to find self-contained units in the scheme to share with my wife. It makes such a difference for us that we can live together in our own space and have the pressure of high rent taken off.”