Sofinvest will be a standard of quality

Architect Delyana Panayotova has been the executive director of Sofinvest EAD since the summer of 2024. Before that, she was the head of the Directorate for National Construction Control (DNSK). She graduated from the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy in 2003. She has gained experience with development projects in construction and also has significant public administration experience, having worked in the "Architecture and Urban Planning" department at the Sofia Municipality. She was also the chief architect of Haskovo Municipality and was also the head of the Haskovo RDNSK and deputy head of DNSK.

Arch. Panayotova, being at the head of supervision exercised by Sofinvest EAD over sites being built, renovated or reconstructed, what is your view of Sofia?

Sofia is a dynamic city in development, a constantly changing living organism with a unique rhythm of life and spirit of habitation. A direct result of the specific social and economic processes that shape the appearance of the Bulgarian capital is the urban environment, modeled and shaped primarily by the construction and development process. From the height of supervision, my view becomes less critical, as I realize even better how complex communication between the client, the builder, and the supervisor can be. I am convinced that each stakeholder in the construction industry must bear their responsibilities and perform their functions in the best possible way. A lot has been done in Sofia, and this is the basis for moving forward. But we should not lose track – in fact, this applies to every sphere of our lives.

How do you feel about this relatively new role for you?

I am already working at an accelerated pace. Coming from the other side of the industry, it is a challenge to get involved in the development process as a construction supervisor. However, I come in prepared, I have a good view of the work and responsibilities of consulting companies.

What is the biggest challenge for you?

The same that faces every company – to do its job well, on time and legally. The dynamics require quick and competent solutions in every work situation. There is a shortage of staff. The challenge is to satisfy the needs of Sofia Municipality and the private clients, who we hope will increase in numbers.

Tell us more about the work done by Sofinvest and the company’s abilities.

The main activity of Sofinvest is the provision of independent construction supervision and technical control in design and construction, preparation of estimates, consulting services and expertise, balance of land masses and reclamation of terrains, transportation, storage of machinery, equipment, furniture and other materials and products, establishment of limited property rights on real estate and construction sites with an explicit order of the Sofia Municipal Council. The principal of the company is the Sofia Municipality. Up until now its work has mainly concerned municipal sites. Now I am trying to expand this scope, so it can become a full-fledged actor in the property market beyond the commitments to the municipal sites.

What is the greatest strength of Sofinvest?

Its people and experience - they are irreplaceable. Our greatest capital is our team, which has extensive experience in infrastructure sites and high-rise construction. We have specific expertise that few other companies can offer.

How do you retain these experienced people in this market when good specialists are sought everywhere?

Our team is close-knit, and it is important for a person to have such comfort in the workplace. After taking office, I evaluated the work done and took steps to increase salaries, as I considered that the company's financial resources allowed for this. We did part ways with some people, but it is part of the optimization that I made. I will try to improve the material base with small steps. Good attitude, decent salary, nice working environment - this motivates people to stay at Sofinvest. The company has proven itself to be a worthy and irreplaceable partner. Thanks to this, we have the privilege of working on significant, specific and very interesting projects. I encourage my colleagues to give ideas, propose solutions and have a creative approach.

How were you welcomed at Sofinvest and what is the advantage of having an "outsider" at the helm of the company?

They welcomed me very well, for which I thank them. I think we work in a harmonious and dialogical mode. When a new person joins the company, they come with an unencumbered and innovative vision of the work done here. Routine and experience have their irreplaceable advantages, but I hope to combine the experience I have with the advantages of innovative and creative thinking and approach. And I have a focus and a style that will give a new impetus to the work process.

What would you say is characteristic about your management style?

It is very important for every manager to correctly assess the strengths and weaknesses of the people in the team and to assign the right tasks to the right people. When a manager correctly structures the tasks and monitors their implementation – there will be a quick integrity and correctness.

Does Sofinvest work outside Sofia?

We already have several sites outside of Sofia Municipality. We need to expand our presence on the market.

What is construction supervision and why is it important in the construction and development sector?

Supervision unites and seeks a balance between the interests of the participants in the site development process. Our task is to protect the interests of the client by monitoring the legal implementation of the construction – we do it well and on time. Supervision means responsibility; it requires a correct approach to each of the participants in the process - architect, client, builder, and respectively the administration, which is involved from the birth of the investment idea to the implementation of the site and its successful commissioning. The supervision body is not a passive participant, but a driver and support factor in the development process.

What is your ambition for Sofinvest?

This municipal company must become a standard of quality. Sofinvest has a good reputation. We will build on this with even more trust, honesty and professionalism.

In the digital age, the website of a company is a key element of its communication strategy. What is next for sofinvest.org? And how is Sofinvest being digitized?

Our website is being updated and modernized. We have introduced a document exchange system for the purpose of faster communication between institutions. We are thinking about the digitization of our archive, which exists only in paper form. We keep valuable projects, and we can no longer rely only on living memory to maintain the archive.

What approach will you take to the issue of personnel shortage?

I have the aim to attract new people here. I am an assistant at the Department of Industrial Buildings at UACG and I hope that through internships we can intrigue students to come and get acquainted with the work, and then they can stay with us. In this shortage that we, and the sector in general, are experiencing with personnel, the right formula is to find a balance between experienced people and the younger generation. The latter can take advantage of the experience of the former. It is important for young people to have a place to gain experience, and we are open to them.

Sofinvest is a company that is 100% owned by the Sofia Municipality. Over the years, we have witnessed allegations that both the state and the municipalities are bad owners. Do you accept this as true?

Such generalizations should not be made. People create patterns of behavior and attitude.

The focus of the current issue of our magazine is successful women. Some will say that you have taken on a man’s job. How do you feel about this professional commitment of yours?

We, women, tend to tinker with things and so we are very useful in the field of construction supervision, irreplaceable even I might say. In some respects, we are more dialogical, but we also know how to protect our territory and interest. I am basing this on my own experience as I have also led other institutions. I believe that I have proven myself as a good manager who is able to organize the process operationally, and as a woman I have a more delicate approach to everyone.

How does a woman develop as a good leader?

Women seek solutions, show greater audibility and adapt faster.

When did you first feel that you had the qualities of a leader?

The first such moment was when, at the end of 2015, I became the chief architect of the Municipality of Haskovo.

Did Haskovo seem too small to you?

I am a person who strives for development. Since my student days at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts, I have always been working in Sofia, so Haskovo was only a "lyrical detour" so to say. My return to Sofia was a return to the place where I want to work and live. Still, every city has its own beauty and specific features. So far, Sofia better meets my own needs and expectations.

Do you see yourself living outside Bulgaria?

I can say about myself that I am artistic, broad-minded and I love challenges in my professional field. It is not inconceivable for me to go outside Bulgaria, and I have not set any limitations or brakes on that. But right now, I am focused on Sofinvest and I am not considering such opportunities. Gaining experience abroad is something very useful for broadening one's worldview.

Your career path shows that hardships do not scare you. What is your "secret" to success?

I run short distances. This means that I try to solve my specific tasks in the most operational and correct way possible. I focus and optimize my work. Of course, these small steps are in the context of the big picture, which I never lose sight of. That big picture is painted in tones such as decency, honesty, professionalism, and even friendship.

Who are the architects that you admire?

I will admit that I am impressed by Zaha Hadid - the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004. Architecture attracts me because it allows you to focus on the artistic and not so much on the practical. It is important for an architect to be able to free himself from the grip of strict functional solutions and allow his thoughts to clothe these in the products of his imagination and his emotions.

How do you motivate yourself and others?

Moving forward and changing are the meaning of life. It is important for a person to develop and become better at what they do.

And how do these words apply to Sofinvest? What would you say to your colleagues?

Work awaits us. The more, the better. In order to receive, we must also give.