Name: Gabriela Hersham
Job title: Co-founder and CEO of Huckletree
What I do: I’m the co-founder and CEO of Huckletree, a premium flexible workspace operator with hubs across London, Manchester and Dublin. We partner with landlords to activate landmark buildings, delivering high-quality workspaces and hospitality-led experiences for our members.
Why I got into the property industry: I didn’t set out to work in property. My background was in film, but I saw an opportunity to reimagine how workspaces were being delivered. The market needed a more design-led and hospitality-driven approach.
How I did it: Through persistence, partnership and a willingness to learn fast. I surrounded myself with great advisers, earned the trust of forward-thinking landlords and built Huckletree hub by hub – often as the challenger brand, but always with a clear vision.
My first proper job: Film production in New York. It was fast-paced and unpredictable, but it taught me how to manage pressure, problem-solve and lead diverse teams towards a shared goal.
My first big break: Convincing our first landlord to back Huckletree when all we had was an idea on paper. That “yes” unlocked everything that followed.
My inspiration(s): My parents, who built their own businesses from scratch. And my two boys, who remind me daily that ambition only matters if you’re building a better world for the next generation.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Navigating the pandemic. It reshaped how people think about work and forced us to rethink our model overnight, while leading our teams and members through a period of huge uncertainty.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Securing flagship spaces in landmark buildings such as 8 Bishopsgate and positioning Huckletree within some of the most prestigious addresses in London. It demonstrated that our vision belongs at the very top of the market.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: That it’s slow to evolve. In reality the sector is increasingly dynamic, but it often takes new voices and perspectives to unlock real innovation.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: The lack of diversity at senior levels. Until leadership reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, the industry won’t reach its full potential.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: Because talent is everywhere, but access to opportunity is not. Opening doors to under represented founders doesn’t just change their individual trajectories, it transforms the wider ecosystem.
Why I’m so passionate about ESG: Because the built environment is one of the largest contributors to global emissions. As an industry, we have a responsibility to drive down impact and deliver sustainable, future-proofed buildings.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: At the helm of something bold and transformative; whether scaling what I’ve already built or shaping something entirely new. I don’t believe in straight lines; I believe in momentum, impact and continually re-writing my own story.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: John Lennon, Prince and David Bowie. Imagine the conversation, the music and the chaos at that table.
What I do in my downtime: Spending time with my kids, exercising to zone out and playing the piano – it’s where I find both focus and escape.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: Most likely film; storytelling has always been central to how I see the world.
My advice for someone just starting out: Don’t wait until you feel ready. Start early, learn fast and grow into the role as you go.
My motto/mantra: “We did it, in spite.” It’s a reminder that progress rarely happens under perfect conditions. The real victories are the ones won despite the challenges and the doubts, with the odds stacked against you.
