A high-profile property developer was put through his paces by a crack team of young interviewers at an event organised by StateTalking.

Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital & Centric, which is described as a ‘social impact developer’, returned to his old school in Salford to answer students’ queries about his life and work.

Three year 8 students from St Patrick’s RC High School in Eccles took to the stage alongside Heatley during a morning assembly. They put their own questions to the Kampus and Crusador Mill developer, also inviting their peers to pick his brains.

Heatley, who describes himself as a ‘failed lawyer’, spoke about his time at the Peel Green school during the 1990s. He admitted that he did not enjoy studying for a law degree at Manchester Metropolitan University and contrasted this with his passion for property and regeneration.

He also spoke about his voluntary position as chair of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, which aims to end rough sleeping and homelessness in the region.

Questions from the floor were straight to the point, with a strong focus around how much he earns and what cars he has bought.

Heatley’s parting words included “achievement is nothing unless you are helping others” and “do the right thing and do it right”.

Alison Byrne, headteacher, St Patrick’s, said: “It was a pleasure to have Tim in school.  Pupils were so interested to listen to his journey from being a pupil at St Patrick’s to the amazing things he has achieved in property development.

“He was refreshingly honest and was happy to speak about his successes and his setbacks.  For pupils to listen and ask questions to a hugely successful person who comes from the same neck of the woods as them and used to wear their green school uniform was really inspiring.

“It was clear to us all that Tim has never forgotten his roots and the way his view that, ‘achievement is nothing, unless you are helping others’ truly reflects the  mission of our school”.

Heatley was speaking at the launch of the school’s alumni network. Other former pupils include three Coronation Street stars (Michelle Keegan, Samia Ghadie and Robert James Collier), Emmerdale regular Isabel Hodgins and celebrated hairdresser Reuben Wood.

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