Name: Divya Hariramani
Job title: Associate director at Syzygy Consulting
What I do: At Syzygy Consulting, I lead projects for real estate companies in the UK and Europe, providing end-to-end renewable energy consultancy. My role within the team is to ensure an integrated approach to analysing complex strategic sites to unlock more opportunities for decarbonisation – factoring in everything from feasibility to long-term asset management, and with it, commercial growth.
Why I got into the property industry: I’ve always been fascinated by the way we design and use buildings and how we can interact with nature through them. I grew up in central Madrid, with an architect mum who instilled in us the power of good design and redevelopment vision instead of the traditional ‘demolish and build new’ model. Reimagining and reusing where possible, our home embodied the circular economy before I even knew the term! To witness such flexibility, respect to nature and resources made me deeply aware of sustainability and sparked a desire to influence the future of real estate.
How I did it: Although I originally considered architecture, I pursued mechanical engineering, which opened up an unexpected but powerful pathway into sustainability. From there, I built experience across startups and consultancy roles, learning the skills and holistic thinking that I now apply in my daily work.
My first proper job: My first proper job was in a young start-up. It was an environment of steep learning, constant idea creation, collaboration and peer support – something I’ve carried with me throughout my career.
My first big break: One of my defining career moments was in 2020 when I was given the opportunity to build and lead a sustainable design business unit. What started as a deep-dive into topics I was passionate about – embodied carbon, the circular economy, health and wellbeing – became a clear value-add proposition for clients. This led to transformative projects and managing a team of over twenty worldwide. I’m grateful to my younger self for her curiosity and tenacity to create something that resonated with so many. I learnt a lot, both about what works well and what I would do differently in the future.
My inspiration(s): I like to think of myself as a sponge, trying to take inspiration from everything and everyone I encounter. Someone who has stood out as an inspiration in the industry for me across the years is the UK Green Building Council CEO Smith Mordak. Their bold stance and unwavering commitment to creating an equitable, regenerative future for the built environment has always resonated with me.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Being a young woman in a leadership position in what remains a predominantly male environment can be a challenge, and women are sometimes expected to adopt a more competitive or aggressive approach to ‘make it’. However, I have learnt that success can also stem from being assertive as well as considerate, kind, open and inclusive. There is as much strength in that approach – one size doesn’t fit all.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Two stand out when I think about my career within the built environment – getting the chance to lead a global team on incredible sustainable design projects, as well as having the courage to pivot and dive head-first into the energy sector rather than staying in my comfort zone.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: That it’s slow-moving or resistant to change. In reality, there are incredible pockets of innovation happening, especially in the sustainability and renewables space.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: I love how through my career I’ve developed great personal relationships with peers, clients, and other industry contacts – but it shouldn’t be all about who you know.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: I believe that better projects come from diverse perspectives, and we can’t solve complex problems with just one type of thinker.The unique insights and approaches that different groups bring to the table are and will continue to be crucial in tackling difficult challenges.
Why I’m so passionate about ESG: Historically buildings were designed as if they exist separately from nature and communities, creating an artificial “us versus them” divide. ESG forces us to recognise that all projects are part of interconnected systems and it is not possible to keep extracting without giving back. ESG is our pathway to regenerative practices that actually enhance the places and people around us.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: A year ago, I couldn’t have predicted my pivot from building design and certification into the energy industry. I can’t wait to see what the next five years bring. What I know is that I want to be pushing project boundaries even further, driving systemic change in how we approach building decarbonisation.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: Patrick Bellew, Jane Goodall, David Attenborough, Yasmeen Lari, Vandana Shiva and René Redzepi.
What I do in my downtime: I am obsessed with urban nature, especially the incredible variety of fruit trees growing in London – did you know there are fruiting avocados and lemon trees in Central London? I spend my free time mapping these out and sharing my finds through social media, aiming to connect more young people with their local environment.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: Something in biodiversity conservation, travelling the world and engaging with communities to understand how we can better coexist with nature.
My advice for someone just starting out: Embrace the unknown. Ask all the “stupid” questions. Seek out allies, mentors, and projects that energise you, and know that your unique perspective is valuable and essential.
My motto/mantra: It’s gonna be a good day.
