Name: Kamal Pankhania
Job title: CEO, Westcombe Group
What I do: I am the CEO of Westcombe Group, one of the UK’s leading developers of prestigious modern properties and hotels. We have a long history of breathing life into historic buildings, converting them into homes and community amenities. Over recent years, we’ve pivoted into the hotel sector, driven by a growing demand for high quality, boutique hotels and our desire to offer something special to both the leisure and business markets. We wanted to create unique, character-filled spaces that people would want to visit time and time again, while at the same time diversifying Westcombe’s portfolio for future growth.
Why I got into the property industry: It was in the blood! My father, who founded Westcombe Group over 50 years ago, ignited my passion for the property sector. I’ve been proud to lead the company as CEO since 2003, alongside my brother Sunil, who serves as our COO. The business was always part of our lives growing up and it felt natural to carry it forward.
My inspiration(s): Of course, my father has been an incredible influence on me. His work ethic, vision and dedication to craftsmanship laid the foundation for everything we do at Westcombe Group. It’s a privilege to follow in his footsteps and build on those foundations, with our expansion into hotels, increasing our presence across the UK and exploring opportunities in the Middle East. Even as he has stepped back from the business day-to-day, I hugely value his insights and sage advice.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: One of the most significant challenges was our project at St Bernard’s Hospital in Ealing. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we were tasked with accommodating key workers, but couldn’t find a housing association partner. So, we took it on ourselves and formed our own housing association, the Dholak Partnership, to deliver them instead. It was a monumental effort over a two-year period, but a testament to the team’s hard work and the value of resilience and creative thinking when faced with adversity.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Professionally, I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done repurposing historic buildings and giving them a new lease of life for future generations. It’s a legacy that will outlast us. I’m also honoured to serve as the senior party treasurer for the Conservative Party. It’s a position which allows me to play a role shaping policy for the country’s future and make a lasting impact.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: By far the biggest frustration is the amount of red tape we have to deal with. The planning process in this country is simply too cumbersome and allows NIMBYs far too much say. We desperately need a more streamlined process which allows developers to focus on creating great spaces rather than getting bogged down in paperwork.
Why I’m so passionate about repurposing historic buildings: It’s a passion that comes from deep within our family history. My great grandfather was a craftsman in Gujarat and as a family we’ve always had a deep respect for the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into historic buildings. Preserving and repurposing these buildings is a way for us to keep part of the UK’s heritage alive, while also providing much-needed housing and community amenities for future generations.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else. That said, I would love to be at the helm of the Westcombe Foundation, which my father founded and my wife Shraddha now runs. Through the foundation we are glad to have been able to support an incredible array of charitable initiatives, including Crisis and The Trussell Trust to address homelessness and food insecurity, including announced plans to develop a community hub to provide a homeless shelter and food bank. Meanwhile in Kenya, India and beyond, we have funded numerous education projects, as well as wheelchairs and artificial limbs for those affected by natural disasters.
My advice for someone just starting out: The key thing to remember is to have a clear vision and remain relentless in pursuing it.
My motto/mantra: “Work hard for the people around you, and they will work hard for you.” I believe that the success of any business is built on the relationships you foster. It’s all about collaboration, hard work and trust.
