Hakeem Hussain

I am an Assistant Strategy Manager at the GPA, balancing my role with a Cabinet Office apprenticeship and an MSc in Real Estate with the University of the Built Environment.

In my day-to-day work, I have gained hands-on experience across property and estate management, shadowing surveyors on property inspections with our partners BNP Paribas, supporting measurement exercises, and reviewing leases and service charge budgets. These experiences have helped me understand how strategic decision-making translates into real-world outcomes across the public estate.

Studying for my MSc alongside my job helps me connect theory with practice. Outside of work, I am currently undertaking a full house renovation and I help run the Birmingham Boxing Academy Foundation, a charity I co-founded in 2022 to support young people through boxing and education.

Balancing work, study and personal commitments is no small feat, but this apprenticeship has shown me that perseverance, hard work and belief in yourself can open doors you never thought possible.