Our people have been up to a great deal in the last year. Find out about what they have been up to by clicking the ‘+’ signs over their imagereading their profiles below.
Graduate programme, City Investment rotation
Degree in Urban Planning and Real Estate (University College London)
My route here has been fairly unorthodox. I entered the profession aged 18. It was only after spending several years doing the job that I actually decided to study for an RICS-accredited degree and then apply for a place on a graduate scheme. Personally, I think my early time in the industry has served me well, and I would advise anyone thinking about applying to get as much work experience as they can. It is only by doing that one truly understands all that property has to offer.
What do I like best about working in this industry? Of course, there is the excitement of dealing with high value and prestigious properties. But the key factor that got me hooked was the people. Property seems to attract individuals with both intellectual rigour and also bags of personality. It means that you always have a great range of professionals to work alongside and learn from. I couldn’t think of a more rewarding, fun and varied industry to be a part of.
I was lucky enough to experience the social side of Cushman & Wakefield right from the start. On my first day after the graduate induction, I went on the valuation department away day to the races at Sandown. It was a brilliant day out, and a great way to get to know the team I was joining. Another highlight would have to be the night out we had to celebrate our football team winning the Lionheart Surveyors League.
Our people have been up to a great deal in the last year. Find out about what they have been up to by clicking the ‘+’ signs over their imagereading their profiles below.
Director of Residential Land and New Homes
Degree in Land Management
One of my proudest moments at C&W was when I became the firm’s youngest female director, with responsibility for developing and implementing a growth strategy for the residential business. I now manage people in London, China and Hong Kong and also play a key client-facing role. This year, my team and I have doubled the scale of our operations while at the same time advising on around £900m of development land and 15,000 new homes.
In 2011, I was lucky enough to be seconded to our APAC region to examine how we might better market London properties to investors in Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Sitting within local sales teams, I was responsible for building up our infrastructure and capabilities and running projects for major clients. It was an unbelievable opportunity as well as a huge challenge which taught me a lot about working in different countries and cultures. Since then, I have continued to travel regularly to these markets, as well as China, Indonesia and the Middle East.
One of the coolest buildings I was involved in marketing was an old warehouse in Clerkenwell which the owners used to rent out as an events space and for filming. Part of it was the complete untouched police station set from one of the Batman movies, complete with faux wood panelling, desks, typewriters and all sorts of amazing original props. In gaps between viewings I would always use the police office as my place to sit in and catch up on emails. It was pretty surreal.
Our people have been up to a great deal in the last year. Find out about what they have been up to by clicking the ‘+’ signs over their imagereading their profiles below.
Associate, Account Management, Corporate Occupier & Investor Services
Degree in Biological Sciences: Physiology (University of Edinburgh)
Cushman & Wakefield is a global business, and my role has a real international feel. I love knowing that on any given day I can find myself talking to Asia in the morning and then the West coast of the US in the evening. I’ve also had plenty of opportunities to travel. I have been to the US four times for pitches. One we won in Chicago secured us a five-year contract, which really made all the hard work worthwhile. And I’m off to Budapest soon.
I work with occupier accounts, which means working with the people in the actual buildings rather than investors. For me, the strategic side of this is the most interesting. Working with clients like Kraft Foods and Expedia, I find out what they’re trying to achieve and which markets they want to get into. Then it’s a matter of translating this knowledge into a real estate strategy that will help them deliver their business goals. This tends to mean acquiring new buildings or land, and we do this all over the world.
From a personal point of view, I’ve been really pleased with the progress I’ve made here. I’ve recently been promoted, and the firm was so supportive with this. And all the way through, I’ve been given the opportunity to work on big projects and prove what I can do. The training’s been outstanding – not only in terms of the APC, but also throughout my seven years here. There’s always something new to learn, and the business is always happy to provide the training you need.
Our people have been up to a great deal in the last year. Find out about what they have been up to by clicking the ‘+’ signs over their imagereading their profiles below.
Building Surveyor, Project & Development Services Team
Degree in Building Surveying (Sheffield Hallam University)
I’ve been really surprised by the variety of work I’ve been able to get involved in as a Buildings Surveyor. I’ve done lots of work in Regent Street and St James’ Square – all very high-class buildings. My role involves looking at everything from building condition and structure to due diligence and managing refurbishments. Right now, I’m helping to deliver a project to clean and repair a block of flats near Regent Street. There’s a lot involved in this, and it’s very complex, but I’m learning loads from the experience.
The culture here is brilliant. Everyone’s friendly and there’s a flat hierarchy, so you can work closely with some really senior people. This also helps when it comes to recognition. A couple of weeks ago, I was given an award for outstanding achievement from the UK CEO. It was for a project where I’d put in some extra hours and got some good feedback from the client. The CEO presented the award, and there was a bit of a ceremony and some champagne. It came as a big surprise. And it really meant a lot to me to be recognised at the highest level.
The training has been great, right from the very beginning. I was on induction with 25 other graduates, where we learnt all about the essentials of the business, and of real estate in general. It was a pretty intense week. Very interesting though. And it finished with us spending a day on an inner city farm. We built a shed and fed the animals, which gave us the opportunity to work together and make friends outside of the office. It was a good experience, and the friendships have lasted.
Our people have been up to a great deal in the last year. Find out about what they have been up to by clicking the ‘+’ signs over their imagereading their profiles below.
Senior Surveyor, Valuation Advisory Department
I joined the business as an apprentice before working my way up to my current role of senior surveyor. It’s a route that requires a lot of self-discipline. The apprenticeship scheme involves eight years of studying and working, and some apprentices do find it hard to handle the pressure of being in full-time work and studying at the same time. I’m proud that I was able to stay the course. It’s enabled me to build up lifelong skills that will help me flourish in this industry.
I was involved in the development appraisal for the demolition of an office building in Hanover Square to make way for the construction of the new Crossrail Station. It was exciting to get to work on such a significant project and has been one of the most memorable moments of my career so far. I will continue following and keeping an eye on the project as the Crossrail development takes shape.
My most unusual experience working here has to be measuring up prison cells. I was working on a property portfolio of police stations and prisons, so I was visiting different locations around the country – I even got to go to the Isle of Wight in the summer.