Name: Francesca Mortimore
Job title: Senior asset manager, ARGO Real Estate
What I do: I implement ARGO’s asset management strategies to unlock value across our portfolio of multi-let industrial estates acquired for our expanding brown-to-green urban logistics strategy that has an AUM of around £450m. We’ve made acquisitions in economically strong UK towns and cities, building a portfolio of underperforming but well-located estates to transform into modern Grade A sustainable assets. ARGO has a hands-on approach to asset management and that’s where I come in.
Day-to-day I work on refurbishment projects, drive rents through negotiating lease renewals and rent reviews, and advise and report to investors. It’s busy, but the results of my work are tangible, which I love. We’ve acquired multiple estates to enact our brown-to-green strategy over the last year and I’m currently overseeing the repositioning of two assets in Leatherhead and Dartford as well working up refurbishment plans for recently acquired estates in Chelmsford and Oxford.
Why I got into the property industry: My dad ran a small housebuilding firm, so I was surrounded by it at home – property was talked about at the dinner table. My older sister also became a surveyor. So, following in the family footsteps was part of it. It also meant I knew the industry was versatile and you get to do a bit of everything. Property includes amongst other things a mix of economics and law, and there’s a lot of interaction with people. You get to balance commercial thinking with people and conversations, making it a really good well rounded and varied career.
How I did it: I studied town planning at Newcastle University, but realised career wise it wasn’t for me. I knew I wanted a career in the built environment though, so I looked at different roles and felt surveying would be a better fit for my personality. So, after university I started working, doing an MSc in real estate at the same time.
My first proper job: Working at Hazells, a multidisciplinary chartered surveyor in Bury St Edmonds near where I grew up, while undertaking my MSc.
My first big break: Moving to London and securing a role at surveyors’ Alexander Reece Thomson, who supported me through my APC to become chartered MRICS. It was a great grad job because it involved lots of groundwork, which meant you had to learn the processes. It paved the way to what I do now at ARGO.
My inspiration(s): My dad. He built his career in property and seeing him enjoy it made me appreciate I could do the same. He’s had a lasting influence on me and how I approach my work. He’s always worked hard, but enjoyed it, and has done well as a result. That inspired me to follow in the same path.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Working fulltime while doing my masters and APC. It took a lot of discipline and focus.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Getting through it, becoming chartered and landing my job at ARGO. I love my job and feel I’ve achieved what I set out to.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: Generally speaking, they don’t understand the variety. When you say you work in property, people often automatically assume you’re an estate agent. But there are so many other roles and parts of the industry. It’s a shame more people don’t realise this when they embark on their careers, as the industry may have been right for them and the sector may be missing out.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: It’s still very male dominated, especially at a senior level. It will take more time, but it’s good to see things moving in the right direction. At most events it’s closer to a 50/50 split gender wise now, which wasn’t the case even five to 10 years ago. To my above point, I’d change people’s understanding of the industry. We need to raise awareness among young people. That means doing more at schools, at careers fairs, and universities to promote it.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: Because having broader more inclusive teams tends to bring different perspectives that improve overall outcomes. More diversity also helps create an industry everybody can see themselves staying in long term, by providing stability and comfort because they feel included.
Why I’m so passionate about ESG: At ARGO we have a big focus on ESG, with ESG-led refurbishments at the heart of everything we do. Working on these projects as an asset manager, you get to appreciate the importance of improving the quality of space for occupiers and what it means to them. Better buildings and space are better for the environment, local people and all stakeholders. They also attract better occupiers who stay longer and are prepared to pay higher rents. So, it makes commercial sense too.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: I want to keep growing and developing at ARGO. It’s a very flat structure here, which is one of the things I love about it, so I’m not pushing to get to a certain position. I just want to become even more confident in my ability to solve complex challenges and be as valuable to my clients as possible.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: Dr Stacy Sims. She’s an exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist, focused on women’s health and performance. I’m very into being active and what I eat and she’s a leading voice in women’s sports science and nutrition. She’s doing evidence-based research for females in training and athletes. It’s so interesting because a lot of previous research has been very male dominated. I’d have a million questions to ask her.
What I do in my downtime: The gym, running, reading, baking and seeing friends and family. I eat out a lot, probably too much. Despite being a big foodie, I don’t really cook. My husband does though – he finds it relaxing which I don’t understand!
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: Running my own fashion brand.
My advice for someone just starting out: Build your network as early as you can – get to know as many people as possible. Spend time in the office even if home working is an option, especially at the start of your career. You’ll learn so much more day-to-day being around people.
My motto/mantra: Be comfortable making decisions. This goes back to my point about wanting to develop more experience and confidence to solve complex challenges. If you have the knowledge and experience, you’ll be comfortable making the right decisions.
