Name: Sam Kidby
Job title: Associate director, Locale
What do: I am an associate director at Locale, specialising in placemaking, destination marketing and social impact projects.
Why I got into the property industry: My father was a real estate lawyer in the city so I grew up hearing about big deals that were happening that would change the skyline of London. It was only when I started work after university that I realised MIPIM was an event, not somewhere my dad went every year and returned with good presents!
How I did it: During university, I interned at the London Communications Agency and was offered a full-time job when I finished. After four years of working there, I left to run the PR for the Thames Gateway Festival, as it was then-known.
My first proper job: I worked as a waiter at the launch of the first Lord of the Rings film.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Launching the Station Sessions at St Pancras International to embody our ‘destination station’ messaging. We had up-and-coming musicians perform live in the middle of the station at rush hour, with one of our earliest performers being a young Ed Sheeran. Not only did it launch a superstar and stop and engage people with the station, but it also saw an increase in sales for the retailers. Since then, proving the value of enlivenment and activations to the bottom line has been a passion of mine.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: It has to be what placemaking is. It’s not gentrification or marketing for developments. Placemaking is the creation of an engaged community where people will return for years to come, becoming a mirror of the people it serves.
My main career goals right now: To create thriving, connected communities for our clients and combine my knowledge and expertise with the wider Locale team.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: Arsene Wenger, David Attenborough, Eminem, Leah Williamson and Laura Trott.
What I do in my downtime: Arsenal season ticket holder, fantasy and sci-fi book reader and parent of 18-month old twins.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: Scuba diving instructor or a professional scrabble player.
My advice for someone just starting out: Chase experiences. Ask all the questions you can. Be a sponge.
My motto/mantra: There is no such thing as can’t. I have found that when you put your mind to something and keep a positive attitude, great things can happen.
