Name: Rachel Hanniquet-Brooking
Job title: Managing director of Apo Group
What I do: I’m managing director at Apo, a living sector third party managing agent currently operating more than 2,000 rental units across five sites in London, Liverpool and Birmingham. My role spans leading the operational, commercial, finance and development advisory teams in providing services and consultancy to investors, developers and owners across the living sector – including build to rent, retirement living, co-living, serviced apartments and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
Why I got into the property industry: The property industry touches us all and it’s very much a people business. I actually started my career in hospitality – I’ve always enjoyed engaging with people and delivering excellent customer service – so when I came across an ad looking for someone with customer service, sales and hospitality skills to join a property company that was looking to revolutionise commercial lettings and asset management, I knew I’d be a good fit and I ended up landing the role.
How I did it: My first job in property was in marketing with a developer converting commercial buildings into residential homes for sale. My background in hospitality and customer service really helped me transition into the industry thanks to its focus on people, service and getting things done to a high standard.
My first proper job: My first ever job was at a traditional chemist run by two brothers. I worked four hours on Saturdays for about £8 per shift, collecting my wages in a brown envelope at the end of the day. I loved it because it had all these old-fashioned perfumes, soaps and powders – I’d always come home smelling amazing. That job taught me valuable customer and life skills, which I’ve carried with me throughout my career.
My first big break: My first big break in property came when I joined a developer converting old BT exchange buildings into residential homes. It was a fast-paced and exciting role – I was handling launch events, marketing campaigns, media relationships and more – and it showed me that I could thrive in this industry.
My inspiration(s): I’m inspired by people. I love helping my team be the best they can be, creating great living experiences for residents and changing perceptions about the build-to-rent sector, which is quickly growing in popularity because it’s flexible, hassle-free and offers people a really high quality of life. On a personal level, I try to create a positive impact in everything I do. I’m an advisor for Propertymark, the leading membership body for property agents, where I aim to make the sector as accessible as possible to people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: The pandemic was incredibly challenging and it had a huge impact on the property industry. Although difficult at the time, it made us all think about our priorities and how we live, so some good has come out of it. Many people now want to live closer to friends and family, which is something the build-to-rent sector is uniquely able to offer. It’s a real privilege to be part of that.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: One of my proudest moments was when I conquered my stage fright and imposter syndrome to deliver a TED-style talk on unconscious bias in the workplace and LGBTQ+ issues in front of 500 people at the Savoy in London. It’s an issue I’m very passionate about, and it was so great to receive such positive feedback – many people came up to me afterwards and told me it changed their perspective.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: People tend to think that developers and landlords only care about money and that estate agents are dishonest, but that’s simply not true. Most of us are committed to providing great and safe places to live and creating thriving communities, especially in build-to-rent. Of course, people make money in the industry – but at its core, it’s about helping people find homes they love.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: I actually have two: firstly, the property sector senior leadership is still very male-dominated and while things are slowly changing, the industry has a long way to go in truly being inclusive and representative. Secondly, while AI will help our industry to become more efficient for our current rental generations, people are an important part of living. We still need investment in people and not cutbacks. We aim to prioritise both at Apo and some parts of the industry really need to catch up.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: For me, diversity, equity and inclusion isn’t just about representation – it’s about performance, innovation and fairness. When teams are inclusive, they make better decisions, work better together and are more engaged. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I’ve personally experienced exclusion in my career so I know how difficult this can be. I also have neurodivergent children, which has made me even more determined to create an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: I recently started listening to the analyst Eliza Philby, who studies how different generations behave and what that means for the future. I would love to chat with her more, Michelle Obama so I can ask all the gossip from the White House and her resilience and Jeff Bezos for his story on growing amazon – and leadership.
What I do in my downtime: I go with my son to a lot of Women’s football matches in the WSL, and I love cooking and studying wine. I have a teenage daughter, so I am lucky to see her, but when it happens, it is great to spend time with all the family.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: If I wasn’t in property, I’d be managing a luxury five-star resort in the Maldives or somewhere in the Far East. Hospitality is still a huge passion of mine.
My advice for someone just starting out:
Build relationships – your network is everything.
Be adaptable – the industry is constantly changing.
Never stop learning – invest in yourself, even if it means self-funding study.
Drive change, don’t resist it – the industry needs forward-thinking professionals who strive for innovation.
