COMMENT As an industry, we are responsible for designing and building the spaces in which future generations will live, work and thrive. To achieve this, we must lead from the front by championing an inclusive approach to diversity, opening up pathways to opportunity for talented individuals with a wealth of different experiences.
The road into real estate is well trodden, but often serves to exclude no small proportion of the population. Recent research by Real Estate Balance has shown that women make up just 20% of roles at middle management and senior leadership level in the sector. The exceptional project team working at the forefront to deliver HB Reavis’ Ready to Work concept at Bloom Clerkenwell proves why these stats need to change. Spearheaded by a female leadership team – which I am proud to be part of – it challenges outdated notions of what a development team “looks like”.
My colleagues on the Ready to Work project team are accomplished and committed women who inspire me every day. Having started out as design construction manager on Bloom, Gabriela Guizzo has recently been promoted to project director, thanks to her irrefutable leadership skills and ability to bring together all facets of the construction process, delivering within tight timescales while ensuring the utmost attention to detail. There’s no doubt her design management background was instrumental in shaping her success as project lead.
Earlier this year, Louise Ioannou moved from heading marketing and PR to leading the leasing of Bloom Clerkenwell and our Ready to Work concept, as well as our biggest development in London, One Waterloo. After leading on the strategic marketing leasing campaign for Bloom, Louise’s passion for the evolution of the workspace and customer-centric approach naturally led her to move into her new role.
Keeping the project on track is our newly promoted project manager Blue Barkes, whose sharp organisational skills and cross-departmental knowledge honed during her time as an executive assistant made her the perfect candidate for the role.
Choosing the right person for the job
My own role has changed during my time at HB Reavis. After heading our co-work space HubHub, I now work across the flexible workspace offer in the UK, alongside this team of incredible, strong women. I’m grateful to be part of a company that recognises potential and allows me to take ownership over my career, even if that means moving in new directions. The appointment of the team for the Ready to Work project was not forced – it was an organic evolution that came as a result of HB Reavis’ commitment to championing its people, ultimately choosing the person who is right for the job.
Our Ready to Work model at Bloom Clerkenwell has been designed and brought to life by this skilled team to enable and maximise growth for organisations of any size, while cultivating their unique work culture. The concept offers a considered approach to workspace design, it’s a fully fitted, tech-enhanced and managed workspace, with a flexible approach to leasing to help support evolving business needs. The adaptable nature of the model gives an occupier the opportunity to transform from a savvy start-up into tomorrow’s tech giant on the top floor. It is a business model that allows us to attract top talent across a range of industries, encourage diverse thinking and equip the leaders of the future with a variety of knowledge and experience.
Untapped potential
Just as our flexible workspaces can help enable small businesses to grow, we as real estate organisations must also look at the untapped potential of younger generations, offering work opportunities and internships to those who can scale-up professionally within our organisations. Some 89% of people surveyed for a report HB Reavis produced in partnership with the London Property Alliance believe that our sector would benefit from recruiting a greater number of people from outside the built environment industry. At HB Reavis, we have put this into practice through our partnership with Briqs, a social enterprise start-up that helps recruit diverse talent into organisations.
The leadership team at Bloom Clerkenwell is one defined by its breadth of skill, experience and views, which you see translated in the product. When we encourage a diversity of opinions within our workspaces, we are also welcoming innovation and access to a greater pool of talent. Ensuring our workspaces help support this model of progression will be vital to creating the next generation of industry leaders. I look forward to being part of it.
Emily Georgakopoulou, head of flexible workspace, HB Reavis UK
