Pandemic or no pandemic, the real estate sector must continue to grow, evolve and adapt; arguably now more than ever before.
At the heart of that drive for change are the people poised to lead the charge with fresh ideas, new approaches and digital innovation – and that’s where EG’s Rising Stars come in.
This will mark the fifth year that EG has scoured the sector for the brightest, most ambitious young people in the industry and here we introduce you to 16 of its brightest sparks. From the advice they would give to anyone looking to join real estate to their sources of inspiration and greatest lockdown revelations, these are the people you need to add to your contacts list right now.
If it’s talent the sector needs, look no further.
ADINA DAVID, 34
Director, flexible housing, Greystar
What do you think is the biggest misconception about young people in the real estate sector?
That a lack of experience will lead to poor decisions. Actually, young people can be bold risk-takers and thus lead to true innovation.
What has been your greatest career achievement to date?
I have worked on some incredible transactions that have contributed to the built environment in many geographies, but the achievement I’m proudest of is the success of Ladies in Real Estate. The networking group grew out of informal drinks between a few friends and has ballooned to more than 600 members who meet for breakfast once a month (when permitted). As the group grew, the concept was expanded to include men as they should be part of any conversation about gender equality.
What inspires you?
One quote I’ve always loved is: “If a man wants his dreams to come true, then he must wake up.” (Anonymous)
What has been your most significant lockdown revelation?
I initially struggled with feeling isolated, but I have found a few brilliant outlets. All winter I trained for the Cycle to MIPIM, but the event was cancelled just before we were due to set off. Many riders took part in replacement rides, including a 1,500km relay around Regents Park, to continue fundraising for our charities. That experience pushed me to keep cycling, which was wonderful for my mental health. It also highlighted the importance of helping vulnerable groups and I became involved with an industry initiative called Do Some Good, which brought industry professionals together to help at-risk groups during peak Covid months.
TOM DROGMAN, 35
Co-founder, Smart Spaces
How do you think the role of young people in real estate has changed over the past five years?
Historically, younger and typically more junior employees were assigned more laborious and administrative tasks, and less impactful roles. Five years ago, that might have been monitoring the Twitter account or providing team support. Today, with technology becoming increasingly important, companies are looking to those at the coalface to help inform their decisions. This means that younger generations who have grown up with tech at their fingertips are becoming more high-profile.
Do you think this will increasingly become the case?
I’d expect to see technology become the heartbeat of real estate in the future, rather than the sticking plaster. This should create a bright future for young people entering real estate, as the roles and the opportunities should be more varied. The key will be for real estate companies to tap into the talent pools from more non-traditional sources, such as those more adept at coding or data science.
What, or who, inspires you?
My dad.
If you hadn’t gone into real estate, what else might you have done?
I would have loved to have been a professional cyclist. Thankfully that is a hobby I can indulge in my free time, so I don’t miss it. And it’s also a sport embraced by the real estate sector.
How, if at all, has the pandemic affected your approach to work?
It has made me work much more closely with the team, given the intensity of screen-sharing all day. The key is to ensure that this doesn’t slip as the weather changes. We want to be leading the way in office reoccupation – safely.
HAMISH DUPREE, 30
Head of London markets, WiredScore
What do you think is the biggest misconception about young people in the real estate sector?
I tend to disagree with any blanket statements about young people. One common misconception is that millennials are entitled and are not willing to put in the hard work required to succeed. Another is we all want to work in offices with ball pits and slides.
If you could stand for one thing in real estate, what would it be?
I am committed to providing mentorship to young black students looking to build a career in real estate.
If you hadn’t gone into real estate, what else might you have done?
My other options were footballer, rapper, or surfer. But real estate just edged it.
What has been the biggest challenge of your career so far?
Switching from a transactional role at an investment manager to head up London markets at WiredScore has been a huge, but excellent, challenge.
And your greatest achievement?
Writing an article about my experiences of being black in the real estate industry was very personal and well outside my comfort zone. But I am glad I did. It is one of the most important things I have done in my career so far.
What has been your most significant lockdown revelation?
Working out in the park is just as effective as the gym and way more enjoyable.
EMMA HARVEY, 26
Director, CEEB, Green Finance Institute
If you could stand for one thing in real estate, what would it be?
The power of energy-efficient buildings to unlock cost and carbon savings, to deliver comfortable and healthy homes, and to create skilled and local jobs that deliver prosperity across the economy. And if I had one wish, it would be for property owners, landlords and tenants to feel empowered and educated enough to drive that demand for the energy efficiency of buildings.
Tell us something that inspires you
“Time spent wishing is time wasted,” is a quote from the janitor in the US medical comedy-drama series Scrubs. It has resonated with me since my teenage years and has become my mantra for just getting on with the job at hand and driving change forwards. I’m fortunate every day to be surrounded by like-minded individuals, many of whom are women, who are prioritising the green finance agenda and stimulating wider discussion about the opportunities and challenges associated with transitioning the global economy towards a more sustainable future.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about young people in real estate?
In 2019, activism on the climate crisis reached a high-water mark. This movement was led by the younger generation and while it was terrific to experience the high levels of engagement, it also created the misplaced view that young green financiers are die-hard eco-warriors. I’m passionate about the environment but I’m also ruthlessly pragmatic. Through recognising the commercial drivers of the finance sector, drawing on experience at the sharp-end of finance, together with other young green bankers, I’m aiming to drive change by creating viable, practical, locally delivered and scalable financial solutions that can deliver environmental benefits.
EDEN DWEK, 29
Head of global expansion, WiredScore
What does it mean to you to be an EG Rising Star?
It is incredibly exciting, especially given how previous Rising Stars have gone on to deliver tremendous change in the industry. While I’m still at the beginning of my real estate journey, I hope to be able to use this platform to further deliver experiences which allow people to work, live and play in the best environments.
How would you like to see the role of young people in real estate change over the next five years?
The pandemic is going to have a profound impact on how we develop and occupy real estate, and I would like to see young people playing a key role in defining the future of the built environment. I would like to see a more nuanced approach to the future of real estate. Companies are starting to give employees greater flexibility on where and how they work, but it isn’t a zero sum game when it comes to the occupancy of commercial real estate. Our response should be to revisit the reasons why people come into the office.
What, or who, inspires you?
One of my childhood friends has created a healthtech start-up to help GPs communicate with patients. At the beginning of the pandemic, when doctors were asking for safer ways to conduct consultations, they built functionality to satisfy this need in the space of a few hours. They are now being used by 99% of UK GP practices, helping patients get the care they need.
What piece of advice would you give someone looking to join the real estate sector now?
The industry is crying out for talent and experience in digital skill sets – and these will continue to be sought after when delivering and operating the new communities we are building.
RICARDO IANNUCCI-DAWSON, 30
Chief executive and founder, Yourkeys
What has been the biggest challenge of your career so far?
Creating a tech product that works and gets adopted at scale. Make no mistake, it’s hard work and really demanding mentally, but we’re driven to improve a process in an industry we love.
And your greatest achievement?
Creating a team of 25 employees who all love their work and each other. Our culture is great, and seeing that is the proudest thing for me, hands down.
What piece of advice would you give someone looking to join the real estate or tech sectors now?
Throw yourself in head-first. Our sector will change considerably over the next decade and you can be a part of the change and help to shape it. Jump in with new ideas and a different outlook, it’s a tough nut to crack, but we need younger people to drive the change.
What has been your most significant lockdown revelation?
The acceleration of demand for tech and solutions that enable people to work remotely. With us it has been the reservation process; we’ve seen huge demand for our “contact-free” reservation workflow.
How has the pandemic affected your approach to work?
It has given me much more of an understanding of the importance of mental health in the workplace and how responsible we are as employers to make sure our teams are coping.
GAIA ARZILLI, 33
Innovations & partnerships lead, HB Reavis
What do you think is the biggest misconception about young people in real estate?
That we lack the know-how to make impactful decisions. In my opinion, what young people lack is not experience, but a collaborative space where they can integrate new ideas into existing frameworks. For the first time ever, the workforce has five generations working alongside one another. This multi-generational collaboration and knowledge-sharing is creating a new type of workforce and, inevitably, a new wave of change in the industry.
If you could stand for one thing in real estate, what would it be?
The creation of sustainable communities by using green materials, circular economies of resources, and renewable energy – approaches that will ultimately improve the wellbeing of both humans and nature. Even though some aspects of these practices might be in their infancy, we have a moral duty to do so for the sake of our health and our planet and I believe young people will lead this change.
Tell us something that inspires you.
This quote: “You are not just a drop in the ocean, together we are the wave of change.”
What has been your most significant lockdown revelation?
The importance of connections between people and the importance that nature plays in my wellbeing. I experienced the strictest lockdown in northern Italy, where the pandemic hit hard. I spent 10 weeks indoors to protect my loved ones. It was really challenging to be indoors for such a long time, both mentally and physically. As soon as I was allowed out again, I had to go back to nature.
MARIA HATCH, 33
Director, chapter resident experience, Greystar
What has been the biggest challenge of your career so far?
The management of both people and an ever-changing environment. The purpose-built student accommodation sector welcomes students from all over the world into London. This is a daunting experience for not only the student but also the parents. Working through the pandemic has been the most stressful time of my career, as every resident and client had a list of different questions and needs.
Who, or what, is your biggest inspiration?
Michelle Obama is by far my biggest inspiration. She has the ability to calm a crowd by just announcing her presence. I love this quote from her: “You have to practise success. Success doesn’t just show up. If you aren’t practising success today, you won’t wake up in 20 years and be successful, because you won’t have developed the habits of success, which are small things like finishing what you start, putting a lot of effort into everything you do, being on time and treating people well.”
If you hadn’t gone into real estate, what else might you have done?
My passion would remain the same in terms of working with people. I would have, and maybe might still one day, train as a professional life coach.
What has been your most significant lockdown revelation?
The need for a work/life balance. When the city was taken out of the equation, I realised how busy and hectic my life had been. During lockdown I have very much enjoyed nature a bit more and taking the time out to focus my mind after a busy day.
JAMES ROSENFELD, 31
Principal, Blackstone
How would you like to see the role of young people in real estate change over the next five years?
Young people are already an engine of change in the sector. I don’t think their role needs to change so much as the industry needs to continue to recognise this and adapt. We must ensure the buildings and places we develop and invest in meet the demands of current and future generations.
What advice would you give anyone looking to join the sector?
Find a role that allows you to work on a diverse range of projects, that challenges you and that allows you take on responsibility early.
If you hadn’t gone into real estate, what else might you have done?
I’d probably be looking for a way to get into real estate. I’ve always had a passion for buildings and architecture, so I can’t really imagine doing anything else.
What has been the biggest challenge of your career so far?
The 12-18 months following the EU referendum was an interesting period. There was market uncertainty but we were able to adapt quickly. We made some of our most notable recent investments, such as Sage Housing and The Office Group during that period, demonstrating the importance of continuing to focus on high-quality assets in markets with sound fundamentals during moments of uncertainty.
BECKY JONES, 32
Head of partnerships, Appear Here
What does it mean to you to be an EG Rising Star?
Very few of our team come from a traditional property background, so our approach often challenges long-established ways of operating. It’s great to be recognised and to see the industry embracing the once-disruptive changes we have been making.
What piece of advice would you give to someone looking to join the sector now?
Build for the (near) future, not for what currently exists. If Covid has taught us anything, it’s that what we know to be normal can change overnight. Make sure the role you’re taking, project you’re launching or company you’re building is flexible enough to adapt to change.
If you could stand for one thing in real estate, what would it be?
That we should strive to make our towns and cities more interesting places to live by giving diverse ideas, bold entrepreneurs and original perspectives fair access to our high streets.
If you hadn’t gone into real estate, what else might you have done?
I’d always planned to go into medicine or law, but fell into the start-up world after a chance dinner and several glasses of wine. However, after lockdown I’m pretty confident I could have been head chef at Dishoom.
What has been your most significant lockdown revelation?
The importance of forcing yourself to make time for headspace. It is much more difficult to be productive or creative without it. For me, a newly discovered and quite surprising respect for meditation and a few rounds on a punchbag (my best lockdown purchase) do it.
HAMZA SHAHKHAN, 28
Data scientist, Travtus
How would you like to see the role of young people in real estate change over the next five years?
The whole system needs to be more democratic and easier for young people to be a part of.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about young people in the sector?
That lack of experience means lack of results.
If you hadn’t gone into real estate, what else might you have done?
I would have been a food blogger.
What has been the biggest challenge of your career so far?
Making our artificial intelligence understand the vastness and complexity of human dialogue within this sector.
What has been your most significant lockdown revelation?
That ideas and creativity tend to erupt when you are least productive. It was a strange revelation but a good one.
PRASANNA KANNAN, 34
Co-founder, Native Finance
How do you think the role of young people in real estate has changed over the past five years?
I remember the scepticism we’d often hear about the impact tech would have on real estate when we started Native Finance. Five years on, it has been really noticeable how much this perception has changed and how much more open the industry is to innovation and tech. Alongside that, it feels like there has also been a real shift in terms of the importance of young people and the role they have to play in co-creating the built environment of the future.
How would you like to see that role change over the next five years?
Even greater diversity of people, particularly more women in leadership roles, would be really welcome as it would in turn lead to greater diversity of thought.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about young people in the real estate sector?
That we aren’t pragmatic enough.
What advice would you give to someone looking to join real estate?
The trailblazers of today will be the victors of tomorrow and so I would encourage anyone interested in joining the sector to seize the opportunity.
AMIE MCCABE, 34
Senior architect, AHR Architects
How would you like to see the role of young people in real estate change over the next five years?
If we can learn from the pandemic, I would like to see better work/life balance for all. This would encourage and allow more women into the industry.
If you could stand for one thing in real estate, what would it be?
As a young, working single parent in the construction industry, I want to prove that having a child doesn’t stop you from progressing in your career.
What has been the biggest challenge of your career so far?
Proving my value has been a battle at times, especially when I have been the only woman in the room. I am also an introvert and like my work to speak for itself, but I was initially too shy to put myself forward for opportunities and therefore wasn’t able to show my full worth and value. Joining a women’s network, however, really helped me to find my feet and my confidence.
And your greatest achievement?
Leading projects and seeing them complete is always a big achievement to me, to see the designs you have made on paper come to life is unbelievable. But with that I can still remember exactly how happy I was when I bought my first house for myself and my daughter. I had worked so hard to save at the same time as studying and working, so that was a massive achievement for me. It made me feel like I could do anything.
What has been your most significant lockdown revelation?
Being a single parent during lockdown has really brought home to me how much my work/life balance was indeed out of balance. During a typical week I would work late and often long into the evening. Lockdown with a child doesn’t allow for that and it became very quickly essential for our happiness and welfare to be really organised with my day and activities. Scheduling out tasks and setting boundaries on when it was work time has changed the way I now approach a working day. I am much more productive, I have more time to do things I enjoy and I am also well rested.
MARIYA TSVETKOVA, 29
Associate, investments, FORE Partnership
How do you think the role of young people in real estate changed over the past five years?
Innovation is critical and young people bring that perspective. I am seeing younger and younger people take leadership positions in organisations or launching creative new ventures. In a world that is undergoing change at a faster pace, it becomes less important how many years of service you have, but rather how quickly you adapt.
How would you like to see it change over the next five years?
I would hope to see more women in leadership positions. There are many young talented women at junior levels but the higher the rank, the lower the number.
What has been the biggest challenge of your career so far?
Staying at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. There are a lot of talented individuals and progressive companies, so staying relevant while also following a business plan is often challenging.
And your greatest achievement?
Coming from a small country in Eastern Europe and receiving a full scholarship to study architecture at Cornell.
ADAM HINDS, 30
Co-founder, LifeProven Wellbeing Property Consultancy
What piece of advice would you give to someone looking to join the real estate sector?
Put yourself forward to do every task, role, or project outside of your job role as possible. Do this even if you are not paid for it. You should actively seek to put yourself on projects you know nothing about, on tasks you have never done before and sit in meetings you weren’t invited to, because the more varied real estate experiences you can have, the faster and more you will learn.
If you could stand for one thing in real estate, what would it be?
Delivering buildings that are designed and operated to improve the end users’ physical health and mental wellbeing, so the longer they reside the happier and healthier they become.
If you hadn’t gone into real estate, what else might you have done?
I have a real passion for business, sport and, most recently, podcasting. So I probably would have started some sort of online sporting media business which would have encouraged people to live healthy, active lifestyles in the outdoors.
What has been the biggest challenge of your career so far?
The fear of leaving the safety of a full-time job at a successful development company to start a business from absolutely nothing.
ESHA VATSA, 33
Investment manager, Pi Labs
What advice would you give anyone looking to join the sector?
Don’t be afraid to join the sector even if you have no previous academic or professional experience in real estate. I made that shift and found that the proptech sector is welcoming to anyone from outside the industry.
If you hadn’t gone into real estate, what else might you have done?
I would probably be still working in tech, whether for a tech company, a start-up or investing in start-ups more broadly.
What has been your most significant lockdown revelation?
That I love working from the office. The social interactions with colleagues and the founders I meet are essential for me and personally keep me going. I don’t think I could ever switch to only working from home but certainly appreciate the balance it offers.
How has the pandemic affected your approach to work?
Before the pandemic, it was the norm to conduct almost all meetings in person, but now we have become comfortable with doing at least the first few meetings online. They won’t replace in-person meetings, but they have proven to be much more effective than we previously thought.
The Rising Stars winner will be revealed at the EG Awards on 29 October. To book your free place at this year’s virtual extravaganza, visit www.egi.co.uk/eg-awards-2020
To send feedback, e-mail emily.wright@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmilyW_9 or @estatesgazette
