When you think of a General Technician, you might picture someone who’s fantastic with tools, troubleshooting, and tackling any job that comes their way. In many ways, that’s exactly what you get with Chrys Gough. He brings a wealth of hands-on experience to Presence & Co., all wrapped up with an adventurous spirit—thanks to a background that includes cheffing stints in Ibiza and Barcelona, as well as mechanical engineering training when he first left school.
Chrys joined Presence & Co. in February, quickly earning a reputation for his versatile skill set and the friendly, can-do attitude he brings to every project. He’s the kind of person who can shift gears from cutting hedges on a charity day to working on projects at a top commercial site. But how did Chrys end up here, and what keeps him motivated? We sat down with him recently to find out.
A Quick Chat with Chrys
What first got you interested in becoming a General Technician, and how has your career progressed?
“I got into maintenance early on. After leaving school, I trained to be an engineer. Then I switched gears and became a chef—I worked all over London, and even did seasonal work in Ibiza and Barcelona. It was a fun ride, but I always did a bit of maintenance on the side.
When COVID hit, I made the decision to leave cheffing behind and go full-time into maintenance. I started working for a hotel and pub company, handling their rebuilds and day-to-day repairs. Eventually, I moved closer to my parents and found Presence & Co. in February. It’s been a great fit, and I’ve really enjoyed the variety of work here.”
What’s the most interesting or complex job you’ve handled so far?
“Since joining Presence & Co., I’ve been part of some pretty challenging projects. I love problem-solving and fault-finding on bigger jobs—Chapman Way was a standout, and Park Royale (one of AW’s flagship sites) was another. That one lasted five or six weeks, and there was a real sense of achievement when we wrapped it up.”
Any recent projects at Presence & Co. that you’ve really enjoyed working on?
“I really enjoyed the charity day at Aspens. We spent time cutting hedges, getting a bit of fresh air, and helping out. It was nice to work alongside everyone in a more laid-back atmosphere, and we got lucky with the weather. Actually, the staff day out for shooting was brilliant too—it was good fun and a nice change of pace.”
Do you have any memorable or funny stories from your time on-site?
“One of the most memorable has to be the day we discovered a wasp’s nest. I ended up getting attacked, and ironically, Jake was in the middle of rescuing a little bird when all the chaos kicked off. It wasn’t funny at the time, but in hindsight, we can laugh about it—especially when I think of Jake juggling a tiny bird while I was dealing with the wasps!”
Looking Ahead with Chrys
Now that you’ve had a peek into Chrys’s journey—engineer-turned-chef, then chef-turned-maintenance pro—you can see why he’s such a valued part of the Presence & Co. team. His diverse background, coupled with his willingness to dive into any new challenge, makes him a true asset on our projects. Whether he’s troubleshooting an intricate issue on a large-scale site or bringing his trademark enthusiasm to a volunteer day, Chrys embodies the spirit of adaptability and teamwork that Presence & Co. stands for.
If you happen to see Chrys on-site—whether he’s busy with a drill in hand or laughing with the team—feel free to say hello. You’re sure to walk away with a smile, and maybe even a story or two about life in Ibiza or that unexpected wasp attack. After all, it’s people like Chrys who make Presence & Co. more than just a property management company—it’s a place where experiences are shared, skills are sharpened, and everyone has the chance to do what they do best.
