Name: Leah Holmes
Title: Associate director, smart energy and sustainability, Hydrock
What I do: I lead a team of utilities and renewables specialist consultants to help clients in the property industry develop their projects with a utilities and renewable energy strategy.
Why I got into the property industry: It was by chance. However, I stayed because I felt valued. Unlike my previous experience in the theatre and arts industry, which was very much about who you know, not what you know, and required individuals to demonstrate their capabilities without compensation before earning recognition or promotion opportunities, the property industry rewarded me for my hard work, performance and achievements. Being valued and praised for what I bring to the table has always been my reason for remaining in this field.
How I did it: I landed a role at a previous engineering company through a standard recruitment agency, whilst I was looking for any job outside the arts. Despite knowing absolutely nothing about engineering, the role of utilities coordinator started off as a predominantly administrative job that provided valuable on the job training. I learnt a lot of what I know now about utilities and property from this role. It’s worth mentioning, since it’s International Women’s Day, that the practice manager of the business unit I was in, was a woman. Since then, I’ve worked my way up, bringing my own skills and somewhat unconventional background to every step of my career.
My first proper job: It depends on what ‘proper’ means. I began working early, from a paper round to washing up and serving food at a wedding venue, then moved to retail. I also sold popcorn in a cinema, worked in telemarketing and sales, as a postwoman, in theatre as a lighting and sound operator, as a stage manager driving a tour bus and then as stage director. I even dressed up as a bagel to go up and down Reading High Street to attract crowds to the shop I worked in! All of these are proper paying jobs and all of them have built upon my experience of the working world – well, perhaps not the bagel role! However, working as a utilities coordinator at a previous engineering company was my first full-time role in the property industry.
My first big break: Joining Hydrock. I was given an opportunity, without an extensive engineering background and much relevant experience. I was offered a position as a utilities consultant at Hydrock, a company that values individuals for their unique qualities beyond what can be summarised in a CV.
My inspiration(s): This is a difficult question. I’d like to mention some women that have inspired me, but truthfully, from a professional point of view, my inspiration has come from the men in my life, both my late father and my stepfather, who successfully ran their own businesses. I am inspired by their entrepreneurial spirit and believe I also have one too! The women in my life have been more family-oriented than career-driven, and not in a bad way, but I cannot ignore that the closest people in my life have followed what has been the typical societal norm. My mum, my nana, and my sister… they all inspire me, but in different ways. They are my biggest cheerleaders. In engineering, there still aren’t many women in senior positions. I strive to carve a path for myself and potentially become an inspiration to others who, like me, lacked female role models in their professional environment.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Battling imposter syndrome. Given my unconventional career background and identity as a young woman in a male-dominated industry, I often feel like I don’t fit the mould of someone senior within the industry – a field with less than 10% female representation. For this reason, I’m always mindful of what others might think of me, even if untrue, and even when the facts say otherwise. Every promotion I have received has come with doubts, such as “Will people wonder why?” My biggest challenge to date has been trying to overcome this voice in my head and take pride in my hard work and tell myself “I deserve this!”
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Challenging the biggest misconception people have about the property industry: that it’s only about buildings! It’s not. It’s about people, society, communities, and the way we coexist on this planet.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: A little biased and selfish answer, but the focus on qualifications, chartership and accreditations. I have none to name other than a bachelor’s degree. I’m great at my job, but still we must put initials following our names to demonstrate our capability based on the qualifications we have. Qualifications aren’t everything. Life experience often outweighs credentials, in my opinion.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: It kind of goes without saying: as a woman in a male-dominated industry, I wish to be valued for my ideas, skills and experience. I’m also neurodivergent and I’m very passionate about the importance of diversity of thought, which not only encompasses DE&I areas – gender, culture, race, and age – but also lesser noticeable ones, such as educational background, life experiences and neurodiversity. From my position, I can see where businesses might be missing out on successes by often sticking with a team of thinkers, who are all cut from the same cloth.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: I would like to be in a leadership position where I have influence over the bigger picture of a business, its people and strategic direction. I would like to drive ESG and DE&I from within, fostering a positive culture, creating a ripple that starts small but reaches far and wide. I don’t know what this job title is, but that doesn’t matter to me.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: My partner Lewis, my cat Boo, the two dogs I grew up with, Max and Fagin. Perhaps some other zoological guests. And maybe Steve Irwin.
What I do in my downtime: I try to stay active and love adventure and wildlife. I like to weightlift and I also get dragged up mountains by my partner, either hiking or rock climbing. I love to travel but I am always torn between my desire to see and experience different cultures, societies, geographies and environments, and my environmental responsibilities and carbon footprint.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: Animal conservation.
My advice for someone just starting out: Speak up, loudly and with strength. You have valuable thoughts and ideas; they deserve to be heard. Don’t let anyone dismiss you. Be a bulldozer and a disrupter!
Why is IWD important to you: I’m riddled with imposter syndrome. It’s so important that I see women get a platform and shout about ourselves, and each other, to make sure we’re heard, understood, valued and praised.
