Name: Chantelle Coulson
Job title: Head of assets, Ocasa Homes
What I do: Across my team I oversee refurbishments projects, which means giving new life to some of our units when required. In this hands-on role, I work closely with contractors to ensure programmes are delivered on time and flats returned to a high standard. As well as project work, I oversee our site compliance and look after the team that manages maintenance during and post-tenancy. We have recently recruited maintenance operatives to this team, so I support with managing their workload across our portfolio.
Why I got into the property industry: When I left university, I felt a bit lost and always thought it would be nice to help people find homes, so I first got a job as an estate agent.
How I did it: I went ‘old school’ – l visited my local estate agent, handed out CVs and had a chat with people. This got me my first job in the industry.
My first proper job: I was a sales negotiator for a small estate agent in Liverpool.
My first big break: This came about after getting a job for an online estate agency, which meant I had to move to a new city. I found the sales aspect really challenging at first and had huge doubts, but after a few weeks I fell in love with sales and having targets. I also loved the competition. After a year, I was promoted to team leader and then sales manager – both allowed me to train and develop other people who were starting out like I did, which I really enjoyed.
My inspiration(s): My parents are my inspiration. Both worked extremely hard to make sure I had things when I was a kid, even if it meant them going without. They always encouraged me and believed in me when I doubted myself. Their work ethic was instilled in me and I have always wanted to do them proud.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Moving from furniture sales to head of capital projects at Ocasa. I really put myself out of my comfort zone in this role and had to learn a lot about the buildings, projects and contractors quickly.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: After taking a plunge into the unknown as head of capital projects for Ocasa, I gained a huge amount of experience. This encouraged me to apply for the head of assets role, my current position. I now oversee a large team, which comes with challenges, but also high reward.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: You don’t have to pay high rents to have a home. At Ocasa, we offer great accommodation all over the UK at competitive rents meaning people can make a space their home without breaking the bank.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: It must be that all landlords don’t care about tenants. Everyone on my team wants to deliver great spaces and homes for tenants. We care about what we deliver – whether that be the refurbishment aspect or making sure maintenance is done to a high standard.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: Everyone should have the same opportunities without coming up against discrimination. I am proud to work for Ocasa: we have an extremely strong female presence in senior management. I remember being told by a recruiter that because of where I was from and the industry I work in, I would never be able to ask for pay rises and promotions – that really lit a fire in me and I decided I would prove them wrong.
Why I’m so passionate about ESG: Everyone should play their own part to help the environment and support their community. If this approach can also be implemented in business, it can have an even greater impact. At Ocasa, we work with contractors that create local job opportunities, meaning we are having a social impact. When I joined Ocasa, I noticed we didn’t have a charity partner so I established our ongoing relationship with Mustard Tree. Through this partnership, we have done so many wonderful things to help people who need it – including plenty of fundraising along the way. I also like looking at the impact of our ESG work: looking at the data and seeing what we can do to move the needle, by putting even more plans in place to make change happen.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: I can see myself still in property, involved in refurbishing buildings. One of the best parts of my role is seeing what can be done with an existing space. I would also like to be in a position where I am passing my experience on to the younger generation, showing them all the options they have for a career as I know how confusing it was for me when I was younger thinking about what I wanted to do.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: David Attenborough because I want to hear all about his wonderful life and adventures.
What I do in my downtime: I try and spend as much time with family and friends as I can. I have two huskies, so I spend a lot of my downtime with them. I recently had an extension built at home, so we now have a small gym where I love working out. I also love going to gigs. I’m a huge traveller; I’ve been to Everest basecamp, hiked Mount Toubkal, road tripped around New Zealand, Europe and America. So, I already have my retirement travel plans…
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: It’d be something with animals – ideally studying them in their habitats like people who observe whales or penguins in remote parts of the world.
My advice for someone just starting out: Believe in yourself and never listen to people who might tell you that you can’t do something. Hard work pays off, but have fun along the way and don’t take yourself too seriously.
My motto/mantra: If you can’t control it, don’t sweat it.
