Name: Holli Renton
Title: Director surveying at Ashdown Phillips & Partners
What I do: I am a commercial management surveyor, overseeing the property management of high-profile portfolios. In September, I was appointed by Ashdown Phillips & Partners to lead on the Ashby Capital portfolio. I enjoy a varied role, working alongside a great team to deliver best in class building management.
Why I got into the property industry: At 18 I got my first full-time job reading leases. Having had no contract experience previously, I was fortunate enough to be trained for the role and importantly to understand contracts. It’s all I did, from the start of my day to the end of my day for two years. At the time it didn’t always feel very fun, but in hindsight, it turns out to have been one of the best training journeys a surveyor can go on at the early part of their career.
How I did it: For me, as a largely administrative based job, it was simply a case of applying role a role local to home. I was thankfully selected for the role, which grew organically over several years into a career in commercial real estate.
My first proper job: After a few years in a largely administrative role readying leases, I wanted to transition into surveying, so to help me make the jump I worked temporarily as an insurance co-ordinator for Landlord Building Insurance. This role involved working alongside building surveyors valuing properties for reinstatement, brokers who were liaising with underwriters and negotiating premiums and landlords and tenants who were settling the premiums payable. The brokers at the time were London-based, and for someone who grew up in Norwich and had never worked in London before, I loved going into the City for meetings. I considered that to be my first ‘proper job’ because it was the first time I had serious responsibilities and began to run meetings of my own.
My first big break: In 2018, I moved across to CBRE. It was a big move for me, relocating from Norwich to London – this of course was before the world opened up to hybrid working and daily commuting was the norm. I wanted to commit everything to trying my hand at London-based portfolio work, and moving out of our Norwich house just six months after buying it was a big change. I had a great time at CBRE, working on varied portfolios and gaining some invaluable experience. It was the first major step towards doing what I do now.
My inspiration(s): One of my greatest inspirations is my elderly neighbour who, despite being well into her eighties, travels around the world independently two to three times a year. Exceptionally well-travelled, and with an excellent sense of humour and a zest for adventure, I hope I’ll still have her energy and enthusiasm when I get to her age – I think it’s important to always look forward to life, as every opportunity can open another exciting chapter of things yet to be explored.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Studying a full-time degree in part-time hours, whilst holding down a full-time job was hard. There were certainly regular ‘all-nighters’, especially at deadline times. For me, the hardest part of this was the period between 7pm-11pm where the tiredness would set in after eating – not to mention missing out on everything your friends are doing when you’re cramming at home – but if you want anything of value you’ve got to put the work in. I always found a Red Bull and blast of ‘Kisstory’ was a blessing, although it’s not for the faint-hearted and I certainly wouldn’t recommend it to anyone starting out. It’s much better avoided if you can. In hindsight, part-time study in part-time hours would have been a lot more sensible and saved me a fortune in energy drinks .
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Becoming an associate director at CBRE was a ‘yay’ moment for me. It reflected all the work I’d done, validation that sacrifices I’d made to follow my goals were worth it – and a clear sign that I was both valued in the business and respected by my peers. What’s more, I very much saw the role as an ability to increase my platform within the business.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: That it’s all about sales or maintenance! Aside from that, the property industry has a diverse range of sectors, full of people with broad ranges of experience. We have entrepreneurs working on apps and AI. We have fabulous marketers challenging the way we use buildings, providing both exciting workplace solutions, and fantastic community opportunities. We have investors enhancing their design briefs to create beautiful wildflower rooftop gardens, and even buildings producing their own honey. We have expert fabric surveyors running some of the most beautiful, historic estates in the world. In this rapidly developing industry, there is a place for everyone.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: We need to keep working at increasing the number of young people entering the industry from diverse backgrounds, and with a genuine excitement for property. To achieve that, our industry leaders need to continue the good work in enhancing the opportunities available. I’d also like to see the standards raised in commercial property management generally – the places where people work are so important, and it’s a privilege to be trusted by landlords to be their custodians and create a fantastic experience for occupiers. Too many businesses in the sector treat property management as a low-value commodity and that’s a shame – which is why coming here to work on the Ashby portfolio was so appealing.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: If you want to achieve the most, you need to reach the most. A progressive industry is one that not only offers a voice, but is also one prepared to listen.
Why I’m so passionate about ESG: I like to think that our commitment to environmental, social and governance is no longer simply because we are being mandated to it. We are more so aware of our environmental and social impact than arguably any generation before us. They say everything begins at home; I say that buildings are the home. The home to people, businesses, and communities. This is where our work must begin, we can no longer ignore our opportunity to do better. Buildings are required to evolve just as we are.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: I feel passionately that great people make great business. Ashdown Phillips is very much a people-first business that gives people opportunities to develop and challenges us to thrive. It is growing its property portfolio, particularly with clients who don’t just want a low-cost vendor to collect the rent, but a partner who is committed to growing the value of the portfolio over a period of time, and create great places to work – we see an opportunity here. Over the course of the next five years, I would like to continue this work with the board of directors to continue to define our place in the market.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: Oh, easy. Most certainly Dick and Angel Strawbridge, best known for their Channel 4 programme ‘Escape to the Chateau’. They fabulously balance building conservation with gentle repurpose, so that their historic castle can be enjoyed just as much now as it was then.
What I do in my downtime: I love the countryside. I am a big fan of a wax jacket, a muddy walk and a nice glass of red wine at whatever country pub we can locate on route.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: I like to think I would be a vet.
My advice for someone just starting out: Surround yourself with people you can learn from, ask lots of questions, and when you find someone that inspires you, ask if they’ll be your mentor.
My motto/mantra: Get running.
