International Women's Day 23 - Inspiring Insights from Luxury Leaders
We are so privileged to have so many incredible women within The Luxury Property Forum. You cannot be what you cannot see and the journey to success (especially for women) is not always easy. This year’s theme for IWD is “Embrace Equity”—and that’s exactly what these women at The Luxury Property Forum are enabling and empowering others to do. These women inspire each other as well as the next generation and we are so grateful that some of them have shared their insights today.
Priya Rawal
The Luxury Property Forum and The Real Rendezvous Podcast
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
There are two pieces of advice I received early on which I have lived by throughout my career.
The first is build your own personal brand. This is not as easy as it sounds and takes you to ask yourself tough questions: what you want out of your career? how you view yourself? how you would like the industry to view you? What do you stand for? what would you like to be remembered for? However, once you have asked yourself these questions and come to the answers you will know which makes your unique and what value you can bring to your clients, your boardroom, and your industry. It will give you a foundation to build upon and develop over time. This will not only build confidence, allow you to have gravitas and make an impact. Further it will keep you grounded and positive when times are tough because they inevitably will be.
The second is surround yourself with people who will make you stronger. A supportive network is essential to being successful in any sector (especially in luxury property). Building relationships with those who you admire and are aligned with values, are key to guiding you down the right path. I have been so lucky that many of these people (both men and women) have become mentors, who I have been able to turn to in times of difficulty and to whom I am forever grateful.
Uma Rajah - CapitalRise
How can we encourage more women to pursue senior roles in luxury property?
Encouragement needs to start at school and in the education system. I think female business leaders in our industry sector should invite themselves into schools to talk to students and show them, first-hand, why a career in property can be so rewarding for women and why it is accessible for them. There is a perception that certain industries are very male dominated which can be off putting and cause young people not to consider them as attractive career options. This is something we need to overcome if we want to have a more diverse workforce.
It can be invaluable to be mentored by a person who has walked in the shoes you are likely to walk in, and by increasing the number of female mentors, the property sector, which has historically been very male dominated, we can make it feel more welcoming and accessible to all.
It is our responsibility to show young people that any career is possible, regardless of gender, and equip them with the resources they need to pursue
Jo Eccles - Eccord
How can we encourage more women to pursue senior roles in luxury property?
The property industry is extremely people-focused. Relationships and reputation are crucial, and I would advise anyone starting out and planning a long-term property career to earn their stripes by being clear about their values, remaining humble and going above and beyond – not just at the beginning, but throughout their career. The London property industry is a small world and people will remember you if you work hard and treat them politely, fairly and with integrity. The trust placed in us by our clients and the many professionals who recommend us, is not something we ever take for granted.
Since I set up Eccord in 2006, I’ve been inspired watching so many women build successful companies and rise to leadership positions across the property sector. I think the secret to success is very simple: love what you do. I have had the privilege of working with some very impressive people and viewing thousands of truly incredible homes during my career, but I never tire of it. If you live and breathe property, your passion and authenticity will shine through.
Jane Wagner - Walton Wagner
Have you faced challenges in your career as a woman and how did you overcome them?
At times trying to take on too much and not being able to say ‘no’ has meant feeling out of control. By realising that it is acceptable to manage expectations - both professionally and in a personal capacity – meant regaining the equilibrium to allow any challenges to be faced calmly.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Focus on your own desk, i.e. don’t compare yourself to others just do the best you can do.
Jenny Naylor - Graf London
How can we encourage more women to pursue senior roles in luxury property?
Change has to start at the top of organisations with CEOs championing a company culture that celebrates diversity, fairness and equality throughout the entire employee journey - from recruitment, to promotion and retention. HR teams should include women so those who are hiring and assessing employees for promotion are looking at candidates’ strengths and potential through a varied set of perspectives. I’d like to see more mentorship and networking programmes as these can really help provide support and encouragement, and those women currently in positions of influence should fly the flag and support other women showing leadership potential, as well as advocate the removal of barriers hindering progression. This includes companies recognising the work/life balance pressures of career vs familial obligations and having supportive business practices in place for all parents (not just women), such as shared parental leave so parents can combine work and care commitments more effectively (flexible starting and leaving hours for example). However, things like access to flexible working and so on will only go so far in enhancing women’s access to leadership. I’d also like to see some policy changes around disclosure requirements and targets set for gender diversity in senior management. Finally, as an industry, we could look at creating an awards programme to celebrate those companies that are driving progress to strengthen the role of women in leadership positions and which are achieving greater gender balance.
Sally Storey - John Cullen Lighting
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
To follow your passion and don’t give up if at first you don’t succeed.
Grace Willcocks - Burbeck Group
How can we encourage more women to pursue senior roles in luxury property?
Motherhood is always the elephant in the room I feel when it comes to senior leadership roles. I have worked with many successful senior women over the years who have felt that they have either had to choose a leadership career path or a family. Thankfully, I think that attitudes towards this are softening, and I have been fortunate enough to benefit as the mother of two small children myself. That said, I did once resign from a job when they refused to let me work one day from home a week whilst my first son was a baby!
Offering mothers flexible working as an employer is always a good idea. In my experience, there is nothing more efficient that a multi-tasking career driven woman! I had my last child 10 months ago and have been working throughout my maternity leave which people seemed shocked by, especially when I tell them that it is not because I have to work but because I want to. People can sometimes underestimate women and their drive to work hard and succeed.
Jennifer Beningfield - Openstudio Architects
Have you faced challenges in your career as a woman and how did you overcome them?
The greatest challenge I have faced as a female architect is not fitting the mould of what people think an architect should be - from contractors, to clients, to other consultants. It is still very male-dominated, particularly in leadership positions. While things are changing, the greatest challenge is overcoming perceptions, and this can only happen by being extremely knowledgable, so no-one can dismiss your expertise.
Toyah Simpson - Maison Communications
How can we encourage more women to pursue senior roles in luxury property?
I think the best way to encourage more women to consider a career in the luxury property industry is by giving them something to aspire to. Every young person needs a role model – someone they respect, admire and can relate to. As a community of professionals, we need to be more vocal about our experiences and showcase the incredible wealth of opportunities that exist in our industry. Some notable advances have been made in the last few years with regard to flexible working, equal pay, maternity / paternity / adoption leave and so on, but we need to do more.
IWD is a great moment to shine a light on the issues that need addressing, but real change won’t happen overnight. We need to keep the light on.
Kathryn Archer - Lees Associates
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
No matter how big a problem appears, if you approach the solution in small, achievable, bite sized pieces you will resolve it. Don’t waste time in worrying, put all of your energy into the solution.
Megan Steele-Knowles - Knowles
Have you faced challenges in your career as a woman and how did you overcome them?
I have worked in both totally female dominated company (in a previous career) and now within a largely male dominated environment, and the difference has not been as stark as one might think. However, at Knowles, we are proud to have 40% of our Board as female, I would say that is about as high as you will get in 2022 within Construction.
Truthfully, I have never felt that that my gender has created any significant challenges for me, however on reflection I think it would be fair to say that albeit subconsciously, I have had to work that little bit harder to establish my position, particularly within male dominated environments. But the way to overcome any challenge is to reaffirm why and how, not only to yourself but to everyone around you and genuinely to stay firm in your beliefs.
Rosie Ward - Ward & Co.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Be yourself and stand up for what you believe in. The construction industry is very male dominant, so speak up when you know you are right even if it can feel intimidating.
Melania Tovar Leon - ALTIDO
How can we encourage more women to pursue senior roles in luxury property?
Opening jobs, promoting apprenticeships, and creating training programs aimed for women to help build a new generation of diverse young people who feel welcomed in the industry. Also, by propelling for intersectional thinking and developing a series of actions intended to support women from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and with different experiences.
Ahlya Rafique Fateh - Louise Bradley Interiors
Have you faced challenges in your career as a woman and how did you overcome them?
As a working mother and as a woman from a BAME background, challenges come with the territory and by definition have to be overcome. I thought of myself as a gladiator at the beginning of my career in that you just have to deal with each issue that comes at you as quickly and efficiently as possible, however the downside of that is that mostly you work alone. What has been part of my evolution is transitioning to space where you can build a solid team which then allows strategy to elevate your performance.
Camilla Dell - Black Brick Property Solutions
How can we encourage more women to pursue senior roles in luxury property?
I’ve never felt that being a woman meant I couldn’t do or achieve anything I wanted to. Maybe I was/am naïve but I simply refused to believe I was at a disadvantage because of my sex. I think mindset is key and believing in yourself no matter what. I absolutely recognise that women are severely underrepresented in the property industry, but that is starting to change. And it’s not just property – the world of finance, private equity, hedge funds even charities are too white and too male.
One of the reasons I left my previous firm over 16 years ago was that there was only one female proprietary partner in the entire business – it set the wrong tone, but thankfully things are changing and moving in the right direction now.
I also feel that being a woman in property is a “super-power”. As a buying agent I feel I have the edge and the ability to empathise with my clients much more. With many of our clients, its often the female partner in the relationship that ultimately makes the decision. As a female property advisor, I stand out. All those things are good and I would encourage any woman thinking about a career in this industry to go for it. The property world needs you. Look to work for firms that have a diverse leadership team.
Sally Maier-Yip - 11K Consulting
Have you faced challenges in your career as a woman and how did you overcome them?
I think it's fair to say that the luxury property industry in the UK and worldwide is quite male-dominated. However, it does not stop women from rising to the top. In fact, among the China desks in different luxury property companies in the UK, China and HK, I know of quite a lot of women leaders leading the teams. In recent years, I can see that there's definitely more balance between men and women representing the luxury property world, which is great to see.
Rossana Miles - ADAM Architecture
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
“Architecture is an old men’s job”, told to me by an old male architect at the beginning of my career. Best advice, mostly because of the three-word response it elicited from me. I knew I had a challenge.
Charu Gandhi Pominkiewicz - Elicyon
Have you faced challenges in your career as a woman and how did you overcome them?
I balance my outlook on my challenges as some being inherent to being a professional, an entrepreneur, a leader with a healthy mix of recognising that some of them are more unique to me as a woman. I think this outlook in itself has helped me overcome the challenges that are uniquely female – I am open about them, but do not feel resentful of them – resilience is key and working to build that mental resilience has helped me with the challenges.
Juliet Golden - Rhodium
How can we encourage more women to pursue senior roles in luxury property?
Firstly, I think we need role models – women need to see themselves represented in senior positions especially in roles that are currently male dominated, such as in areas such as construction and engineering. The more visibility they have, the more other women will feel that certain roles are open to them. Secondly, we need male allies as this isn’t all about women supporting other women. And finally, an ethos that recognises an individual’s desire or need to work around their home life (whether or not they have children} will enable and empower women to progress, and love what they do
Sarah Chiappi - Zuma
How can we encourage more women to pursue senior roles in luxury property?
As a sector, we have to be more flexible. Too often women are forced to choose between having a career or motherhood – that shouldn’t have to be a decision that is needed. Not only do employers need to be better at offering part time roles or flexible working hours, but there also needs to be a shift around roles to allow for this. The stigma around men taking more parental responsibilities for example, needs to be knocked down. It is rarely demonstrated than men can put family first. Until this shift happens, it is harder for women to pursue entrepreneurship or senior leadership roles.
Shona Patel - SP3 London
Have you faced challenges in your career as a woman and how did you overcome them?
Yes especially being in the construction industry, it used to be a very male dominated industry which is now changing. Politics can always be an issue and when you’re the only female at the top table it can be hard to make a difference, however I faced them head on and fought for what was right….not sure it made enough of a difference though so then you change tact and paths to ensure what you are doing is right. As long as you overcome challenges in the right way then everyone of them is a learning experience and from each one you will grow and know what to do the next time round
Jenny Weiss - Hill House Interiors
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
To always strive for your best and continue with education / personal development.
Pippa Mitchell - Pippa & Benoit
Have you faced challenges in your career as a woman and how did you overcome them?
Absolutely. From initially being treated by some as a child in my early 20s to sexual harassment in my late twenties. I was lucky enough to have such a strong sense of belief in myself and a excellent group of mentors who challenged & supported me to reach for my goals and achieve them. Both kept me focusing on what was possible. If anything these experiences made me more determined. A great example of this I when I took on the PPN Knightsbridge franchise in order to create a safe & inclusive networking event for women after an attempted sexual assault at an event a few years before.
Interestingly, all of my mentors have been men in our industry and they have been fantastic over the past 12 years. The disappointing experiences I summarised above were by a handful of men and in my experience are a small minority, thankfully 😊 and with support from my mentors and a dose of therapy no lasting damage was done. In fact, it was very helpful & cathartic at the time to share these experiences with these men I trusted, so they could help advise me and where possible protect me, as well as support and promote me within our industry.
Long story short, these experiences lit a fire in me to have my own business where I always get to choose who I work with, helping to ensure that I always feel safe and supported in my work. This for me is of the upmost importance
Jennifer McIntosh - Adair Ltd
Have you faced challenges in your career as a woman and how did you overcome them?
I have always been in further education whilst working, which combined with getting married, moving house (twice) and starting a family, was challenging! The key to holding a successful career whilst balancing family life is being extremely organised, hard-working, dedicated, and flexible. As well as the support of my family and friends, the great relationship with my employer has enabled me to excel in all aspects of my life.
Becky Fatemi - Rokstone
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Don’t take things so seriously…and follow your gut!
Caroline Donaghue - V1 Studios and The Real Rendezvous Podcast
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
The only thing in life holding you back is your mind and your beliefs. You can upgrade your life by training and re-writing your mind and your belief systems. Re-write these and you can achieve anything in life
At The Luxury Property Forum we truly believe in “you cannot be what you cannot see”.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, throughout March we are shining a light on our wonderfully inspiring female members who are all leaders in luxury property. If you are an LPF Member and would like to celebrate a senior female member of the your team, please get in touch at marketing@theluxurypropertyforum.com