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: Marie-Julie Gheysens
Job title: Head of UK, international business development at Ghelamco
What I do: I head up the UK office at Ghelamco overseeing and bringing our UK developments to life.
Why I got into the property industry: I’m fascinated with how creative property can be and it’s always been in my family.
How I did it: My path into the property industry was shaped by a passion for design, art, and the transformative power of architecture. I’ve always been drawn to spaces that tell a story and challenge the conventional boundaries of real estate. Rather than following traditional models, I’ve focused on integrating innovation, sustainability, and modern tech into developments – creating environments that are not only functional but also inspiring.
By collaborating with visionary designers, artists, and forward-thinking creators, I aim to push the industry forward, rethinking what residential and commercial spaces can be. For me, property is more than just buildings; it’s about shaping experiences, fostering communities, and leaving a lasting impact through thoughtful, future-focused design.
My first proper job: I grew up on building sites and helping out with the family business but my first proper job was as a financial analyst at CBRE.
My first big break: My first big break came with The Arc in Shoreditch – a bold, design-led development that brought together high-quality architecture, sustainability, and modern living in one of London’s most dynamic neighborhoods. Like any ambitious project, it sparked conversation and debate, which only reinforced the importance of pushing boundaries in the property industry. While there were challenges along the way, The Arc ultimately became a landmark project that reflects our commitment to creating forward-thinking, future-proof developments. It was a defining experience that strengthened my belief in staying true to a vision, embracing innovation, and understanding how meaningful design can shape both places and perceptions.
My inspiration(s): I always take inspiration from other women and especially those who have broken through major barriers to get to where they are. A particular inspiration is Zaha Hadid – I love what she achieved in architecture. She was fearless and innovative, proving to be a constant reminder that there are no barriers to creativity.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: One of the biggest challenges I’ve encountered is pushing for innovation in an industry that is often rooted in tradition. I’ve always believed that property should be more than just buildings – it should integrate design, culture, and technology, meaningfully. However, introducing new ideas, whether in sustainability, wellness, or community-driven spaces, sometimes comes with resistance. Convincing stakeholders to embrace change requires persistence, clear communication, and a strong vision. Over time, I’ve learned that challenges often present the biggest opportunities, and by staying committed to thoughtful, future-forward development, it’s possible to create lasting impact.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: My proudest achievement to date is leading the vision for The HiLight, a development that redefines modern living. From the beginning, the goal was to create more than just homes – we wanted to build a community-driven, sustainable, and design-led space that blends architecture, wellness, and technology in a way that truly enhances everyday life.
What makes this project so special is the collaboration with incredible designers, artists, and innovators who share this vision. Seeing it come to life and knowing it will have a lasting impact, not just for residents but for the wider area, is something I’m incredibly proud of. It represents everything I believe the future of property should be – thoughtful, forward-thinking, and deeply connected to the people who experience it.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: That you can’t have a career in property if you’re passionate about sustainability. Humans will always need a home and it’s our mission to create homes that are beneficial to the planet.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: That men wouldn’t underestimate the alliance of working with women. Different perspectives mean catering for more customers and attracting larger audiences – which should be considered a win after all.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: As a woman in the industry, it is paramount that we continue the hard work of those gone before us. You will always be more creative, innovative and productive when you have a diverse team.
Why I’m so passionate about ESG: ESG has been a priority in our family for over a decade. We’ve always strived to create buildings that meet all the sustainability certificates, but over the years, we’ve expanded our views of sustainability to be more holistic. We’re now dedicated to laying out targets and guidelines on what sustainable real estate actually means for our developments and the impact it can have.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: I’d like to be able to look back and be proud of our achievements, having created some human-centric places with environmental thinking at the forefront.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: Winston Churchill – firstly, for his humour, but secondly, I’d love to hear about how he kept the heart of Britain beating through the tough times.
What I do in my downtime: I love reading. I’m currently reading how the Einstein relativity theory caused outrage in China a few decades ago, but I will swap for a romance book based in Costa Rica if it becomes too much!
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: Archaeologist or journalist – I do love a good discovery and storytelling.
My advice for someone just starting out: Don’t give up! It can be easy to be thrown off course or lose confidence, but the industry offers an amazing range of opportunities and once you find your niche, you’ll succeed.
My motto/mantra: Where there is a will, there is a way..
