Name: Lauren Chew
Job title: Senior asset manager, Redevco
What I do: I asset manage retail parks in Redevco’s portfolio, which means overseeing the day-to-day performance and long-term strategy of the assets. I work closely with tenants, agents and other key stakeholders, including planners, project managers and building surveyors. A key part of my role is understanding retailer requirements and identifying opportunities to optimise the tenant mix, ultimately unlocking maximum value across each scheme. Alongside the strategic work, there is also the essential day-to-day management that keeps the assets performing effectively, including rent collection and reviews.
Why I got into the property industry: I got into the property industry almost by accident. I left college at 17 because I did not feel the subjects I was studying – English literature, media, computing and psychology – were leading me towards a clear career path. I started looking for full-time work and was offered two very different roles: one in plant hire and another as a junior secretary at Capital & Counties. At the time, I wasn’t aware property was an industry people could build careers in, but the secretary role was based in the exciting West End, so I decided to take it.
How I did it: After 18 months at Capital & Counties, I moved to Edgerley Simpson Howe (ESH) as a secretary, supporting three investment surveyors. Over time, I began helping with purchase reports and found myself increasingly interested in the technical side of the job. Bill Edgerley and Paul Weston noticed and encouraged me to consider becoming a surveyor. With the firm’s support, I completed a distance-learning diploma in surveying practice, passing with merit.
I went on to study for a BSc in estate management, also by distance learning, while continuing in my full-time role as secretary; coming in early and staying late after work to study. After passing with a first, I moved onto a graduate contract within the ESH agency team specialising in retail parks, completed my APC, and was promoted to senior associate. I went on to become a retail asset manager at Nuveen but, after four years, decided I wanted to shift my focus back to retail parks, which led me to join Redevco as senior asset manager at the beginning of 2025, just after it acquired its UK retail park portfolio from M7.
My first proper job: At 17, as a junior secretary, I was the youngest person Capital & Counties had ever hired, but I got stuck-in, gaining experience of a professional working environment and had the all-important introduction to the property industry.
My first big break: This came at Edgerley Simpson Howe. I hadn’t followed the traditional academic route, nor had I considered surveying as a career before then. The team’s encouragement, and the firm’s willingness to support my studies really changed the direction of my career for the better.
My inspiration(s): I have been fortunate – numerous people have supported and inspired me. Tim Hornor at ESH was incredibly supportive when I was studying and helped me understand how to apply theory in practice. Adam Patrick helped me transition into an agency role at ESH. Later in my career, Adam Stone at Nuveen was a real source of encouragement – helping me build my confidence and teaching me a huge amount about the asset management side of the industry.
The biggest challenge I have encountered to date: The biggest challenge has been overcoming my imposter syndrome. Having come into the industry through a less conventional route, I sometimes questioned whether I belonged, particularly when comparing myself to those following a more traditional graduate pathway. I started my APC at 28, so my route looked different to many others around me. Over time, I have learned that there is no ‘correct’ way into this industry and that your work ethic is far more important than how you got there.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: One of my proudest moments was being selected for the role at Redevco. It felt like a real endorsement of my experience and sector knowledge. I joined as the retail park portfolio was acquired and had to get to grips with 16 retail parks very quickly. The first few months were busy, with a lot to understand and manage, but it was a brilliant challenge, and I quickly settled in with a supportive, professional and committed team of colleagues.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: One of the biggest misconceptions is that the property industry is only made up of one type of person. I have made some great friends in real estate and found the industry welcoming and supportive to anyone who works hard, knows their market and executes their job well. There is more progress to be made in the DE&I space, but I think property is broader and more open than many assume.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: I would raise awareness of property as a career for all and better communicate the opportunities it offers to people from all backgrounds. When I was younger, I had no awareness of the industry; had I not taken that first role at Capital & Counties, who knows what I would be doing today? Better visibility, particularly at state school and sixth form college level would help make property a realistic, accessible career path for a much wider range of people.
Why I am so passionate about DE&I: My own route into the industry shows that there is no fixed path to building a successful career in property. As a woman from a working class family, I know how important it is that people from different backgrounds can see the industry as open to them and accessible. Female representation is better than it used to be, but if the industry wants to attract the best talent, it needs to be more visible to people from all backgrounds.
Why I am so passionate about ESG: ESG is about futureproofing assets and ensuring they remain relevant for future generations. While the environmental element is incredibly important, I think the social and societal side of ESG needs to remain a key part of the conversation. Property impacts on communities and the people who use these places every day, so it is important to think about how assets can create value beyond financial returns. This is something that Redevco places real emphasis on and I support wholeheartedly.
Where I would like to be in five years’ time, career-wise: In five years’ time, I would like to have continued progressing in my career while remaining involved in the assets themselves, understanding the detail and working through the strategy of how real estate can be improved. While I would like to take on more responsibility, I would not want to move so far into management as to lose the connection with the buildings!
Who I would invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: David Attenborough because I’d love to hear about his life and some of the wildlife he has encountered in the natural world; Thasunda Brown Duckett, CEO of TIAA as I was fortunate enough to meet her during my time at Nuveen and she is an inspiring female leader; and Take That, because I’ve been a big fan since the early 90’s!
What I do in my downtime: In my downtime, I enjoy running, reading and walking my dog. One of my best friends and I go on annual walking holidays to the South West Coast Path, which has been a great way to spend time outdoors and switch off from work.
The job I would be doing if I were not doing this: I have always loved reading, so I think I could have pursued a career in publishing, possibly as a book editor. The idea of reading books for a living always appealed to me.
My advice for someone just starting out: Talk to each other and don’t hide behind emails. Property is a people-driven industry and building relationships is much harder if you only communicate from behind a screen. Pick up the phone, ask questions, meet people and be curious. The more conversations you have, the more you will learn.
My motto/mantra: Keep going, you can do it. It worked when I ran the London Marathon!
