Name: Helen Bartlett
Title: Managing director at Paramount (previously design director at Paramount)
What I do: I am responsible for the strategic direction of the business and ensuring we maintain growth and profitability whilst also keeping a close eye on our performance, quality and processes. Paramount is a workplace design, fit-out and build business with a difference. Creating places where people want to be.
Why I got into the property industry: I’ve always had a keen interest in buildings and had a great spatial awareness and eye for detail from a young age.
How I did it: A foundation course at art college covered a multitude of disciplines – but the areas that I connected with strongly were photography and set design. A degree in interior architecture followed with 12 months’ optimistically spent looking for an opportunity to start my career.
My first proper job: 25 years ago as a receptionist/sales administrator for Paramount. With my degree, it was a way of getting my foot in the door with a company that were working across the UK and ahead of the curve in workplace design and fit-out.
My first big break: As above however I very quickly showed that I had excellent organisational skills and transferred swiftly into project management before being given the opportunity to move into the design team.
My inspiration(s): It sounds a cliché but actually inspiring others to work hard, gain confidence in their capabilities and realise that things can be achieved when you set your mind to them. I had a mentor at the start of my career who whilst being a tough nut to crack, equally gave me the tools and confidence to become a successful designer because I was prepared to listen, work hard and go the extra mile.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Working as design lead/co-ordinator on a project that comprised a nine-storey, 130,000 sq ft listed building. I thoroughly enjoyed discovering historical architectural gems concealed behind numerous dry-lined walls and figuring out how we were going to transition between the old and the new so that it exceeded the client and architect’s vision and met the requirements of the conservation officer.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Having had the opportunity to mentor current and previous designers to develop their skills and subsequently following the trajectory of their careers. I attended an event a few months’ ago where one of our previous graduate designers was part of a small business that won a design award and couldn’t have felt prouder that she too was realising her passion.
My biggest screw-up: People make mistakes but as long as you hold your hand up and say “that was my **** up” and learn from it (and most importantly don’t do it again) you’ll earn respect so much more from others.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: That contractors are going to under-perform and go over budget. In reality there are numerous contractors who take an immense amount of pride to ensure the project is planned effectively and is an enjoyable experience for all whilst producing a quality product, both on time and on budget.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: The challenge of managing clients’ expectations regarding timescales to ensure sufficient allowance is made at the design and planning stage in order to reduce risk throughout the project.
When I became interested in ESG: I’ve always had a strong belief in ‘doing things right’ which probably stems back to my childhood as both my parents were teachers. At that age I obviously wasn’t aware of ESG however those solid foundations have stayed with me throughout my career.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: Because wouldn’t the world be a much nicer place if everyone was treated equally? It’s simply about being a decent human being and treating everyone with respect.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: Having been part of the SMT who have grown the business sustainably, I hope to be in a position to be passing the reins onto others that have progressed through the business and have shown they have the drive and dedication to continue the journey. Thinking beyond five years, I would consider moving into property development so that I can put both my design background, business experience and hands on approach to effective use.
My main career goals right now: To lead by inspiring and supporting others to achieve their goals.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: Steven Bartlett (entrepreneur), Zaha Hadid (architect), David Attenborough (environmentalist), Olivia Colman (actor), Robin Williams (comedian/actor), Serena Williams (sportsperson), Johannes Radebe (dancer), Chris Martin (musician) and last but by no means least, Queen Elizabeth II.
What I do in my downtime: Gardening, travelling and discovering new creative hobbies!
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: Working behind the scenes in TV/film as the production process fascinates me.
My advice for someone just starting out: Be prepared to start at the bottom. Work hard. You will make mistakes along the way, but you will learn far more by making them.
My motto/mantra: I’m a great believer in fate. If it doesn’t work out, it wasn’t meant to be.
