Name: John Slade
Title: Chairman of Kroll Real Estate, senior advisor to Allianz/PIMCO.
What I do: Advise major investors on capital city investment.
Why I got into the property industry: Not office bound, wantonness to travel.
How I did it: Hard work, contacts, career development.
My first proper job: At Royal Sun Alliance as an intern in property, 40 years ago.
My first big break: International business into London with Richard Ellis.
My inspiration: Irvine Sellar who I worked closely with.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: The Banking Crisis 2006-2009.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Bringing Japanese investment into London.
My biggest screw up: Over expanding when successful, stretching cash flow.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: That it is simple!
My biggest bugbear about the industry: Old school tie and its public school image.
When I became interested in ESG: With Al Gore.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: Because it’s important for people to be authentically themselves, have a level playing field and because property is about people.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: Chairman to businesses both in and out of real estate.
My main career goals right now: Same as above.
Who I’d invite, living or dead to a dinner party: Winston Churchill, Henry VIII, Peter Kay, Aretha Franklin, Carole King, Christopher Columbus, Mohammed Ali.
What I do in my down-time: Tennis and ski.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: A rock star!
My advice for someone just starting out: Keep learning and working hard.
My motto/mantra: “Go for it!”
