Name: Jill Ju
Title: CEO and founder of True North
What I do: As a start-up CEO, I do whatever the business needs to realise its purpose and vision. One of the most important elements of it is assembling a highly aligned team and building the right culture.
Why I got into the property industry: I’ve always been fascinated by how the built environment shapes our lives, our societies, and even our psychologies. I see property as a platform to effect positive change and truly enhance people’s lives.
How I did it: My career path has been shaped by a desire to learn continually. Joining a leading US rental apartment firm during its global expansion phase was a pivotal step. There, I was privileged to gain exposure to various facets of the business and was entrusted with significant responsibilities early on. This experience cultivated my understanding of the global real estate landscape and equipped me with the tools needed to navigate its complexities and seize opportunities for innovation and growth.
My first proper job: My professional journey kicked off as an investment banking analyst at UBS, where my primary focus was on cross-border M&A. This early experience provided me with a deep dive into the mechanics of global business, honed my analytical skills, and instilled in me an appreciation for a wide-ranging international perspective.
My Inspiration: My team inspire me everyday. True North benefits from some exceptionally experienced and passionate individuals and I’m so proud of what we’ve built and achieved together.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: One of the moments that stand out to me the most is a recent community event we hosted at Holm Wimbledon Park, our debut property. Several residents approached me to express their love for the life they’ve built there. That moment, witnessing the vibrant, supportive community we’d envisioned and worked so hard to create, really come to life – that’s been my proudest achievement to date. It served as a heartwarming affirmation of our mission and the meaningful impact of our work.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: Despite the positive steps we’ve seen recently, the property industry still has a long way to go when it comes to diversity and inclusion. We continue to see a lack of representation of diverse individuals in leadership roles and decision-making positions.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: The world we live in is diverse, and fundamentally we can only deliver innovative solutions that truly meet the varied needs of our community and are reflective of the world in which we live in, when we have a decision-making process that takes into account all of these perspectives.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: Leading True North to new heights, growing our team to take firm steps closer to realise our purpose and vision of creating quality, attainable homes that enable mindful living.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: Rabindranath Tagore, Li Bai, Stephen Hawking, Albert Einstein, Zaha Hadid, Christopher Wren.
What I do in my downtime: I enjoy exploring the city, immersing myself in different cultures, or taking a quiet moment to meditate in a park.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: I think I would still be working in property, probably as an urban planner, shaping cities to be more inclusive, liveable, and sustainable.
My advice for someone just starting out: Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Surround yourself with people who have integrity and share your passion, and never lose sight of why you started.
My motto/mantra: “Be the change you want to see.”
