Leigh-Ann Smith | Site Manager | Barratt London
I have been working for Barratt London for almost 3 years and I have worked on some amazing projects that have been challenging and complex in there own ways.
Upton Gardens - Former West Ham United Stadium I completed 9 blocks running the external façade on all blocks with my own team behind me.
Mill Hill Ridgeway Views - Former National Institute Of Medical Research - This project had so much history and its own story to tell and it is my best project to date I built 3 blocks on this project again managing the external façade and landscaping works to all three blocks. The redesign of these development was to keep it very much the same but different to allow more natural light into the blocks and landscape areas and also the landscape area of the parkland with more than 4,000 trees and includes 47 acres of green space.
Katie Dee-Davies | Account Manager | ParetoFM
My eyes were first opened to the world of Facilities Management & Property during my time as Assistant Manager at a co working and office space in Manchester.
With no room for progression I went into a Front of House Facilities Assistant role for ParetoFM based at a multi-tenanted site in 2021, eager to contribute and grow within the organisation. Over time I embraced challenges and opportunities, learning on the job and steadily advancing to the position of Account Manager after 12 months running multiple commercial properties in the North on behalf of a real estate company. As of April 2024, just under 2 years into the role, I will be managing the clients whole portfolio which covers 13 sites across England making it one of the biggest accounts in the company. During this time, I have built a fantastic team, strong client relationships and a community feel within the spaces that we run. As I reflect on my journey, from an office manager learning the ropes to an Account Manager overseeing multiple sites, I am proud of the progress and positive changes I`ve brought to the company. I look forward to continuing this journey of growth, impact, and innovation.
Stella Aichholzer | Senior Negotiator | Knight Frank
Stella advises UHNW clients and family offices on international real estate portfolios, both personal and investment focused.
At Knight Frank alone, in less than 3 years, she has been involved in over 255 millions in sales. Prior to joining Knight Frank, Stella worked extensively in real estate asset management, development and super prime sales. She holds a BSc in Business Management from King’s College London and is able to advise clients in English, German, French and Italian.
Rochelle Gordon-Blake | Residential Property Graduate | Knight Frank
I am a Residential Property Graduate within Knight Frank, having started as an intern I have navigated my early career from Sales, letting to International residential developments.
I entered the world of property with an open mind as I was studying marketing for my degree. I sold my first property at £560,000 in my 3 month internship at Hampstead which essentially gave me drive to Perdue it as a career. I loved the client consult and advisory sector of sales and knew this was the perfect fit for my interests and personality.
Fast forward, two years and now I’ve collected a wide range of experience through my rotations, which has ultimately led me to find my feet in the Residential development sector of Real estate.
Not only am I passionate about real estate but I’m passionate about the diversity in the industry. I’m the Co-Chair of our ERG for Age and Generations. I want to be an advocate for change in the industry no matter how big or small. I wasn’t able to see people that looked like me or where from a similar background as me (single parent household, Edmonton raised, non privately educated) at the top and I’ve been keen to be that for others wanting to break into the dynamic world of Real estate.
Neetal Rajput | Group Manager - Planning | Slough Borough Council
I studied Geography at Kings College London and undertook a Masters (MSc) in Sustainability and Planning at Kingston University.
I have worked in development management for over 15 years, in both the private and public sector. I started my planning career in the public sector a graduate and after four years I moved to the private sector and moved in a Real Estate Team. I am currently working at a local planning authority as Group Manager (overseeing the Planning and Enforcement statutory function) on some of the most complex strategic major projects from redevelopment of estate regeneration to deliver new high quality sustainable and affordable homes, new health facilities to meet current and future demand and tackling local health inequality issues and most importantly to deliver development which meets the needs of our local communities in a sustainable manner now and for the future.
I lead a high performing Planning and Enforcement Team, which involves engagement with the local community/ businesses and elected Members. I regularly seek to improve our performance, deliver sustainable efficiencies and improve outcomes for all, I believe in inclusive growth. I motivate and support my team to ensure that feel empowered to make the right decisions.
Given my background in both the public and private sector, I am able to bring a multifaceted approach to the profession and a wider perspective when assessing complex schemes for development.
Charlotte Hewett | Associate, Manager | Knight Frank
I was an international Opera Singer for seven years when I decided to embark upon the Property industry which has run in my family for decades.
I quickly had five interviews and subsequently had five job offers from all the interviews that I attended and I decided to accept the job offer from one of the most prestigious companies in prime central London.
During my endeavour at my first company I was consecutively the top performer for volume within the London region year on year and was promoted from negotiator to associate director within three years, which was unheard of within our industry.
I was a loyal director and stayed with that company for four years despite the fact that I was head-hunted by other companies and was given other job offers on a regular basis.
I decided after four years that it was time to embark upon a new challenge and eventually accepted a position within another prestigious company having turned their job offer down few years prior.
Financial aspect of the occupation is of course important but this was not the centre of my attention. What I was craving for was a position where I can inspire other people and lead a team of individuals towards success in their career. I have managed to create a great team within my current company having been promoted to manager position after only four months.
Bethan Handley | Associate - Residential Valuation & Advisory | Knight Frank
I grew up in rural Staffordshire and went on to study Accounting & Finance at the University of Bath.
Once I realised that I wanted to pursue a career in Real Estate, I then undertook a masters degree in Real Estate Management.
Having worked in residential valuation since July 2016, I qualified as a Chartered Surveyor and Registered Valuer in May 2019 and later joined Knight Frank in December 2019.
As a member of Knight Frank’s Residential Valuation and Advisory team, I specialise in the valuation of houses and flats across Central London.
My role is focused on the valuation of single residential units for secured lending, but I also undertake valuations for taxation (CGT and IHT), private individuals, and accounting purposes.
I was promoted from Surveyor to Senior Surveyor in July 2021, and to Associate Partner in June 2023.
Samrudhi Inamdar | Systems Engineer | AAC Clyde Space
My engineering journey is driven by a deep desire to innovate and overcome nature`s challenges.
With a proven record of achievements and a vision to inspire future generations, I strive to lead by example. Motivated by a sincere commitment to contribute to society and foster positive change, this recognition represents a pivotal opportunity to effect meaningful transformation.
I am currently working as a Systems Engineer at AAC Clyde Space, where I get to work on the most exciting space projects. Embarking on an academic voyage, I began with a Bachelor`s in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering in India. Subsequently, I pursued a Master`s in Astronautics and Space Engineering at Cranfield University, which laid the foundation for my journey into the realm of space exploration. Building upon this foundation, I am currently pursuing a second Master`s in Engineering Management at Brunel University London, demonstrating my unwavering commitment to continual learning and professional advancement. These qualifications have equipped me with a solid foundation and specialized knowledge essential for my career in aerospace engineering.
Having spent my formative years in India, I began a fresh phase in my professional journey upon relocating to the United Kingdom in 2021, amid the pandemic`s adversities. Rather than yielding to the hurdles of lock-down and unemployment, I pro-actively utilized my technical skills and interpersonal abilities to network, build connections, and pursue opportunities.
I`m an ardent art enthusiast, particularly drawn to dancing and painting. I like to maintain a rounded life blending creativity with STEM expertise.
Lauren McCarthy | Project Manager | InSpace Missions
I have worked in various industries and roles , all of which have been centred around supporting people, either as customers or as part of my team.
My start in the Space Industry came via a chance opportunity within the Compliance & Export Team at SSTL, and I haven`t looked back since. It gave me a brilliant grounding and allowed me exposure across the business to see where I wanted to work; this is how I decided upon Project Management. My first role within projects was in resource management & capacity planning, implementing a new system across projects & engineering to make processes more efficient. This evolved into a Project Management role, being responsible for the R&D/Non-mission projects portfolio including working with CEOI & DASA. Whilst in this position I had a yearlong break following the birth of my son but came back to support a multi-million pound MOD project as well as continuing to manage my existing portfolio.
Following my move to In-Space Missions (ISM) (now part of the BAE Systems Group) I feel like I’ve been fully supported to grow in my role and further develop my career, it’s been a steep learning curve. I’ve worked on high profile bids, supported the satellite operations team & customers through In-Orbit Commissioning on ISMs first ride share mission, to delivering the Systems & Integration Test Phase on ISMs largest programme, which is spear-heading BAE entry into the UK space market, backed by a significant internal investment from the group.
Kat Draper | Principal Engineer | Mott MacDonald
Kat is a Chartered Civil Engineer and has been working in the construction industry for more than 15 years.
She completed a Master’s degree (MEng) in Civil Engineering at the University of Southampton and has completed the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification.
Her latest roles focus on management and co-ordination of design teams; including team leader, project manager and design manager, and projects range from early feasibility studies, preliminary design and detailed design, with extensive collaboration with various third parties. In 2023 she was project manager for a team that travelled to Rwanda to build a 77m trail bridge.
Kat is keen to encourage others into the construction industry and is passionate about creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive industry. She promotes engineering to others through mentoring, by being a STEM Ambassador and facilitating student work placements and attending career events.
With lower-than-average numbers of women and minority groups working in the industry, Kat acknowledges that change is required to make the industry more effective at attracting and retaining talent.
Kat believes that if people have certain skills or are capable and keen to do certain roles, they should be able to do a role that utilises those skills. This shouldn’t be limited or defined by gender.
The best teams will have different skills, emotions and personalities within them, and this provides resilience and balance. Everyone within the team has the right to be their authentic self, so they can give their best and achieve their own and the project objectives.