Hi Tina! Could you start with telling us a bit about yourself, your background, and your current role at Knight Frank?

I grew up in North London and went to a state school, where corporate careers were rarely spoken about. I have always been very extroverted and loved speaking to people, and I also had an interest in property. I used to spend time looking at luxury houses I could not afford, which sparked my early interest in real estate!

My passion for communication led me to study Spanish and Italian at UCL. During my year abroad, I secured an internship with Knight Frank in the residential business, inspired by my interest in luxury property. I really enjoyed my 16 weeks there, and my manager at the time, Craig Walters, encouraged me to apply for the commercial graduate scheme. With his support, I joined and have since completed rotations in St John’s Wood Sales, Global Portfolio Solutions, Data Centre Valuations, and London City Tenant Representation.

What does your day-to-day look like in your role?

It really depends on the rotation I am in, but here is an example of what my days look like now. Sometimes I will start early, around 7:45 am, with an office launch. This is when a new office building or floor is put on the market, and agents are invited to come and see the space over coffee and breakfast. It is a way of keeping up to date so that when a client asks about options, we can give them accurate and up-to-date information.

Once I am in the office around 8:30 am, I might prepare what we call availability schedules. These are essentially lists of office spaces that fit a client’s needs, such as location, size, budget, and style. It is a bit like putting together a personalised selection of options for them.

Some days involve viewing tours, where we take clients to see a selection of offices in person so they can get a feel for the spaces. Other days, I will meet with agents over coffee to exchange updates on what companies are looking for in the market. I also sometimes work on cashflow models, which are financial breakdowns that show clients the cost of leasing an office over time.

So, my days are very varied, a mix of market research, client-facing work, property tours, networking, and financial analysis. That variety is one of the things I enjoy most.

Could you tell us about your career journey leading up to the current day?

My career journey has been quite straightforward, thanks to my internship, which made me realise this industry was the right fit for me. The biggest decision I faced early on was whether to pursue residential or commercial property. Through the graduate scheme rotations, I discovered that I was better suited to the commercial side.

 I have been able to build on the skills from my degree, especially communication and languages, and combined them with my naturally extroverted personality to carve out my place in the industry. As I did not study real estate at university, Knight Frank has supported me by funding my master’s, which I am completing part-time online over two years. This shows that you do not need to have a real estate degree before applying, as the firm provides excellent training and development to help you gain the knowledge you need alongside hands-on experience.

What excites you about your job and the industry as a whole? In other words, what keeps you here?

What excites me most is the variety and energy of the industry. No two days are the same. One day I might be touring office spaces with clients, the next I am meeting agents, researching new opportunities, or working on financial models. I enjoy that mix of people-focused work and problem solving.

The property industry is also very broad, with many different paths you can take. While it is true that women have historically been underrepresented, that is changing, and I am proud to be part of that shift.

At Knight Frank, what keeps me here is the culture. It is a company that genuinely cares about its people. Graduates are supported, encouraged to explore, and given the freedom to find where they fit best. That sense of belonging and opportunity makes a huge difference.

What defines your "place" in the real estate industry?

For me, my place is about showing that you do not have to come from a traditional background to succeed here. I did not go to private school, and I had no connections in property, so I know what it feels like to enter an industry that can seem intimidating from the outside.

That is why I am passionate about making the industry more accessible. I have been involved with initiatives such as Pathways to Property and Making the Leap, which support young people considering real estate careers. Representation matters. When you see someone like yourself in the industry, it makes your own ambitions feel more achievable.

So, my place is not just about my career journey, but also about helping to open the door wider for others who might not see themselves represented in property yet.

It’s been great getting to know you, Tina! Finally, what encouragement would you give to someone who is considering a career in this industry?

Be authentic and true to yourself. Do not feel like you must fit a mould. The skills and qualities that make you unique can bring fresh perspectives to the industry. Your individuality is your strength, and it can open doors to opportunities you might not have imagined.

‍