Jane Hollinshead is principal of real estate advisory firm IJD Consulting. The former head of real estate at Addleshaw Goddard, she also holds several non-executive directorships in the industry. She shares her day on 10 September, including a mentoring session, site inspections and an evening in the boxing ring.
I’m full of admiration for those real estate early risers who run 10k, squeeze in some wild-water swimming and are at their desk by 7am, spirulina smoothie in hand (you know who you are).
Pre-lockdown, I used to come round slowly, listening to the Today programme, but as 2020 unfolded, I decided that shouting at politicians from under the duvet was bad for my mental wellbeing. Now I just have loud music and a double shot cappuccino in preparation for the five-yard stagger from bed to desk. The cogs start whirring soon after nine and it’s time to fire up the computer for another day on Planet Zoom.
The whole “return to work” debate bemuses me. When I left the City to set up my own business five years ago, my office was the contents of my rucksack (laptop, phone, spare cable and trainers) as my business took me to wherever my client was based. I was regularly in transit between the West End and the City, or on a quiet day, I’d work from the House of St Barnabas where I’d earwig on the arty Soho Square creative types.
Come lockdown, I retreated to the top room in my house with its woeful connectivity. While I love what I do, I do really miss the shiny glass buildings, being in an actual boardroom (rather than on Microsoft Teams) and all the serendipitous chats that led to new opportunities. I’m probably just showing my age.
I love that no two days are the same for me. First off, a catch-up with the team at Notting Hill Genesis, where I’m an NED and chair of its operations committee. The committee has oversight of repairs, building safety, digital strategy and resident satisfaction, so it’s a pretty full agenda.
We’re onboarding some external recruits to the committee, having completed the entire interview process virtually. I was keen to bring in expertise from outside housing as well as the next generation of first-time board members from different backgrounds. We have definitely succeeded on that front, although it’s weird that these new recruits will probably not meet each other in person, at least not in the short term.
Next up, an hour’s mentoring session. I have a fantastic mentor who gave me the confidence to jack in a 20-year career in law to do something completely different.
It’s my turn now. I mentor some senior real estate women at that critical stage of transitioning from the managerial to executive level. It’s a tough, lonely time, when all the rules change, so having someone with a bit of experience to confide in can be hugely valuable. I hope I do that. My mentee today is from an ethnic minority background. She is relaying how Black Lives Mater has made her feel about our industry and herself, as a Black woman.
It makes for an uncomfortable session, which frankly is how it should be. To be honest, it’s more a case of reverse mentoring, where I listen and learn. And the lesson couldn’t be more simple: things need to change. Now. As an industry, we’re rarely on the front foot when it comes to inclusion and diversity. We have a lot of ground to make up, otherwise the best people will go elsewhere.
A quick turnaround as I leave for a site inspection. My sons came home from university in March and aren’t showing much enthusiasm for going back, despite strong parental encouragement. As changing the locks is not a practical option, I leave them with an aspirational list of “to dos” (walk dog, empty bins, put dinner in oven at 180 degrees) in the full knowledge that they’ll order Deliveroo, fight over who took out the bins yesterday and forget that they have a dog. A weight is lifted as I close the front door and head to the Tube.
Forty minutes later, I’m down by the Thames walking the site of an urban regeneration scheme. It’s a beautiful day and it strikes me how amazing we are as an industry when we’re at our best. I’m bowled over by how much thought and creativity has gone into how the space is used between the buildings, which for me is the most important aspect of any development. It’s awesome.
Then back on the Tube and over to Islington Boxing Club for a session with the wonderful Winston. I was so happy when the Boxing Club reopened post-lockdown. I’ve been boxing for 10 years and am hopelessly average but love everything about it: the rituals, the discipline, the inclusion – and the smug satisfaction of being alive after four three-minute rounds. Boxing is the ultimate leveller. No one asks you where you went to school, no one could care less about your background, accent, race, religion or gender. You’re judged on your commitment to get in the ring and just fight.
Maybe one day we’ll be like that in real estate too.
