Name: Nikita Fackrell
Job title: Associate director in the lease advisory team at CBRE South West. I am also the Next Generation lead for the Midlands and South region.
Why I got into the property industry: Honestly, it was by complete accident. After completing my undergraduate in geography, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. The first job I happened to secure was in sales and recruitment. It seemed like a good fit – I am a people person. It was only when I started recruiting within the property sector, the penny dropped, and I realised real estate was the career for me! As I spoke to employers, especially female leaders in the industry, it was clear how diverse, progressive and rewarding a career in the sector could be and I wanted to be a part of it.
How I did it: I completed my masters in real estate management at the University of the West of England. CBRE was one of the course sponsors and ran a series of lectures. It was then I decided to apply to CBRE’s graduate scheme.
My first proper job: In property, my first role was as a CBRE graduate, but technically my first paid employment was as a bartender in Yates!
My first big break: Graduate schemes are so competitive and to be able to secure a place with a market leader that has an excellent training programme was the dream for me. I felt I’d made it in life. It’s what I’d worked hard for.
My inspiration(s): Hands down it’s my grandparents. My parents and grandparents emigrated from Africa and India and had little education. They always instilled in me a sense of what you can achieve if you work hard and to see how proud they are of where I’ve got to is an inspiration to me. My grandmother always wants to know what’s going on with my career and how work is. She even calls to ask when my next promotion is coming!
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: I developed the creation of my role as CBRE’s Next Generation lead across the Midlands and South because I could see how the Next Generation programme was expanding and knew the importance of making sure this had the right support at a regional level. The scheme and cohort numbers for CBRE has grown significantly over the past five years and, working with my fellow Next Generation colleagues across the business, I’ve had to evolve the systems and procedures we have in place to make sure we’re offering the best support to our recruits through the programme. Taking on apprentices is relatively new to us as a business and a lot of my work has been focused on how we can best support them.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: While my work on the Next Generation programme has been challenging – especially as it sits outside my day-to-day role at CBRE – it’s also been one of my greatest achievements. I’ve developed a great team across our offices in the Midlands and South and we’re really in sync with each other. The hard work in getting to this stage is certainly paying off and I think we have one of the best schemes of its kind, given the support we offer at both a national and regional level. It’s been so rewarding to grow another part of the business and take on a leadership position.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: People don’t realise how varied it is and how many pathways there are. It’s not just for a certain type of person with one particular skill set. I would encourage anyone to have an initial look at property as a career option.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: The work that needs to be done to drive diversity and inclusion in our industry. I’d really like to see more people from a broader range of backgrounds come into property.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: So much is down to my own personal experience. It’s only coincidence that I happened to fall on property as a career choice and I genuinely love it. Our industry should be talked about more broadly as a career path and there are currently only a few universities that offer property-focused qualifications. It’s something I’ve inspired others to do in my family as my brother and sister are now working in property too!
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: I’d like to see my role develop in lease advisory and would love to continue to play a pivotal role in the Next Generation programme at CBRE, making sure this evolves in line with the way the next generation are learning and taking into account their shifting needs.
Who I’d like to invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: JR Tolkien – I am a huge fan of Lord of the Rings (books and films).
What I do in my downtime: I love spending time in the mountains. I live in Wales and you’ll often catch me in the Brecon Beacons come rain or shine.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: I am a massive foodie – definitely a chef!
My advice for someone just starting out: Look for opportunities to network and build your connections externally and internally at all levels. You’ll find good mentors and who you know is important.
My motto/mantra: Never say no to opportunities to learn. You won’t grow if you don’t push yourself. By taking advantage of opportunities that come your way, you’ll figure out what you do and don’t like and what you want to become good at. You’re never too established in your career to stop learning.
