Name: Jo Hawkings
Job title: Partner, Bidwells and portfolio manager at Cambridge Science Park
What I do: I lead the strategic asset management of Cambridge Science Park, focusing on long-term value and occupier success, working closely alongside and on behalf of the park’s freehold owner, Trinity College Cambridge. Trinity College has owned the land since 1546 and Bidwells has worked closely with the college to develop and manage the park since its inception in 1970. It is an incredibly exciting time for the park, as we have recently celebrated its 55-year history and are now focused on setting a new masterplan for the next 25 to 50 years.
My day-to-day role involves working closely with the development manager, who is coordinating the park’s masterplan and outline planning application. This looks to quadruple the lettable space on the park over the next 25 years. I also negotiate new ground leases with our long-leaseholder tenants and oversee the leasing of Trinity College’s directly owned part of the park. I also oversee the newly expanded park management team, who provide member services to the 170+ companies across the park and the 7,000 people who work here.
Why I got into the property industry: My dad was a construction project manager who was involved in the development of some amazing buildings, including London City Airport, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital and Bluewater Shopping Centre. I was always fascinated by his work, and he encouraged me to pursue a career in the industry.
How I did it: I applied to study land management at the University of Reading and then focused on investment and finance in property in my third year. I started my career at an interesting time in the cycle. The boom years of 2005–2006 had just passed, and the credit crunch/global financial crisis was just beginning when I started at CBRE in September 2007.
Our team pivoted from advising private equity clients on raising capital and launching funds, and we created a new business line at CBRE called ‘loan and corporate recovery’. We advised banks on their options in relation to debt portfolios where borrowers were in breach of their loan covenants. This was a challenging time for the market, but an incredible learning environment for my foundational years in the industry. I won the opportunity to do a summer internship at CBRE in 2006 and was then offered a graduate position starting in September 2007.
After three years in London, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to transfer to CBRE’s Sydney office. I ended up spending over 11 years in Sydney before returning to the UK in 2022. I then moved to a boutique national agency firm for a year, where I was involved in the sale of office buildings and hotels in Sydney and Brisbane, as well as a long leasehold interest in the Sydney Opera House car park.
My first proper job: I started my career on CBRE’s graduate scheme in London.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: I’ve had several health-related personal challenges throughout my life. I suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome for six years, from the age of 15 to 21, and thankfully recovered by the end of my time at university.
I also struggled with infertility and recurrent miscarriages for four years before the birth of my first child. I was fortunate to be working with great people who quietly supported me as I juggled IVF and loss with full-time work in a busy role. It was during this time that my manager helped me transfer into an asset management role, which had more regular hours than a fast-paced transactional role.
Professionally, my biggest challenge was returning to work after maternity leave and this has motivated me to support and mentor other mothers returning to work after parental leave. The industry is getting better at attracting women to careers in property, but if we don’t understand and support women returning from maternity leave, we risk losing them.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: That it’s an all-male industry and a bit archaic. While there may be a few relics from years gone by, the industry I see is dynamic and eager to keep up with the ever-changing world around us. As creators and managers of property, we are uniquely positioned to influence quality of life, and I love being part of that.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: I love the industry and feel fortunate enough to work in such a collaborative environment. It has given me the opportunity to travel and live overseas which has been very enjoyable!
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: I am currently very happy exactly where I am. I have just reached my second anniversary working for Bidwells in Cambridge. I am working with an amazing team who are all striving to provide an excellent service to our clients. We look after some fascinating properties, particularly in science and tech and it’s incredibly rewarding.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: Michelle Obama. I am a huge fan and would love to hear some of her favourite stories about her time in the White House.
What I do in my downtime: I have two young children, so most of my time outside of work is spent enjoying family time. I don’t get a lot of downtime, but when the opportunity arises, I do love a spa day.
My advice for someone just starting out: Look up and around you. Be curious not only about the different types of work being done, but also about how other people work. Don’t be afraid to try new roles and explore the vast career opportunities that the property industry can offer.
My motto/mantra: Pace over perfection.
