To celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, which takes place on 8 March, BE News is running a series of interviews with inspirational women who work across the built environment sector
Name: Rachel Bradburn
Title: Head of leasing, Redical
What I do: I lead a talented team to develop and execute leasing strategies across the Redical portfolio. We collaborate closely with our agents and external partners to ensure each strategy is tailored to the specific asset, maximising occupancy and income whilst delivering something special for the communities we serve. A key part of my role is building and cultivating strong relationships with brands to drive long-term success and optimal returns for both parties.
Why I got into the property industry: I’ve always been fascinated by the impact of the built environment on how we live, work, and interact. The ability to shape spaces that bring communities together and influence daily experiences is what drew me to the property industry. For me, the retail, restaurant and leisure sector stand out as the most exciting and dynamic. It’s constantly evolving with trends, technology, and consumer demands so there really is never a dull moment! I enjoy the challenge to stay relevant and deliver creative initiatives to excite and inspire our customers.
How I did it: I studied real estate management at Nottingham Trent University which was a vocational course with lots of practical development. It was important to me that I chose a course that included a placement year in industry to determine if it was the right path for me.
My first proper job: I was extremely lucky to have a placement year with the property team at McDonald’s. It was the best introduction to a career in property and set me up with a great network straight out of university. I was a property management assistant supporting two estates surveyors across the southern portfolio. It involved working across multiple internal teams including our franchisees and with external lawyers, agents and landlords. This really set the foundations for my career and was the route to my graduate role at NB Real Estate.
My first big break: I’ve been fortunate to work with a real variety of companies, including seven years at Hammerson, where I gained invaluable experience in the shopping centre market. However, joining Redical at such a formative time in the company’s growth feels like my first big break. The opportunity to be part of a rapidly evolving business, helping shape its direction and contribute to its success is incredibly exciting and feels like the perfect next step in my career.
My inspiration(s): I am inspired generally by people who bring energy and positivity to what they do, and I always strive to seek different perspectives to maintain a balanced outlook. I’m incredibly lucky at Redical to work alongside an experienced team who all share the entrepreneurial vision of our co-founders.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Juggling a career that I am passionate about with family life. Conversations with friends, family and colleagues has shown me that what’s most important is striking the balance that is right for you and not be swayed by what other people appear to be doing. I am grateful for flexibility and agile working and wouldn’t be able to deliver what I do without it.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Without a doubt, my greatest achievement is opening Victoria Gate with my Hammerson colleagues. There is truly nothing like the bond of a development team at the point of delivery. It was a huge privilege to play a small part and deliver the centre 90% let. Leeds was absolutely buzzing for months afterwards and the after-party was one to remember!
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: I think there is a perception that the industry is old fashioned. In some respects, that’s true, leases are lagging behind the reality of modern retailing; property by its very nature cannot evolve at the pace of technology, but I think more importantly, the mindset of the industry has shifted. Attitudes towards women in real estate, diversity and inclusion in the workplace seem to be making a leap forward.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: Transparency and trust between landlords and tenants. In an ideal world the terminology “landlord” and “tenant” would cease to exist. We would come together as business partners to drive the most profitable business in our spaces and share fairly in the upside. Another major challenge is business rates, which is certainly not my area of expertise, but still proves a huge hurdle to overcome in rebalancing against true rental value.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: I genuinely believe in creating workplaces where people feel valued and heard. That is why it is exciting to be part of a small rapidly growing business where I can have a real impact on bedding this into our company culture. Different perspectives undeniably lead to better decision making and fresh ideas. It’s particularly important in leasing and placemaking, where understanding a huge cross section of consumers is key to success.
Why I’m so passionate about ESG: Our responsibility as a built environment industry is monumental. We have a huge influence on the future of the world around us and being conscious of our environmental decisions is paramount. Operating in the retail and leisure sector means that we have a very direct social impact on the communities around us, so ESG remains a key focus in our asset strategies.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: Head of leasing with Redical, but with a much bigger portfolio of prime assets!
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: My grandparents. A sentimental one but they all passed away before I really became an adult so I would love to meet them again and tell them about their great grandchildren and all that we have achieved.
What I do in my downtime: Juggle family life with my husband and two young children, squeeze in precious time with friends and try to fit in time to exercise. I feel immeasurably better if I’ve been able to let off steam!
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: I always wanted to work with young children, admittedly before I had my own children! I still think I would enjoy supporting the development of young children (perhaps just in small doses…)
My advice for someone just starting out: Ask questions, stay open-minded and nurture your network. When I joined Redical I was gifted the book Growth Mindset by Dr Carol Dweck and I wish I had read it as my younger self.
My motto/mantra: Eat the frog. It’s become a running joke in our household but the most difficult tasks are never as bad as you build them up to be. The best thing to do is get on with it!
