Every year since 2015, EG has been shining a light on a collection of young people from across the built environment who have that little extra slice of something special in them.
Over the years we’ve highlighted individuals at the beginning of their careers who have gone on to become true leaders.
This year, nine more join our growing cohort of 115 Rising Stars, but only one will take home the crown at the EG Awards on 17 October.
Dan O’Gorman, chief product officer, Locale
Recognising that traditional property management software incumbents were complex to mobilise, with outdated user experiences, O’Gorman invented a digital blueprint for reinventing real estate around the end users of the space. His creative flair has brought a fresh perspective to property management and occupier engagement with easy-to-use and seamless experiences that are simple to implement across buildings, estates and national portfolios.
Having consulted on large, high-profile real estate technology projects, including the Shard, East Village and King’s Cross, and portfolio-wide digitisation projects for MAPP, Savills, BNP Paribas Real Estate, Berkeley Homes and FirstPort, O’Gorman has helped deploy Locale’s software across 80m sq ft of UK real estate, covering residential and commercial property – something no other UK-based proptech business has achieved.
Appointed to the Locale company board after only five years with the business, O’Gorman has played a pivotal role in organically growing Locale to a 35-person organisation and has masterminded the sustainable development of a UK-based, in-house team of specialists.
O’Gorman on…
What role do young people have in the real estate industry today?
Hopefully a positive, disruptive one. Rather than following the established playbook, the industry needs to adopt innovation and take a fresh look at how things are done. There are numerous challenges facing the industry that need new ways of thinking to make an impact.
Who or what do you look to for inspiration in building your career?
I take a lot of inspiration from leaders in the technology industry and how they create great products. Concepts like design thinking, lean start-up and continuous discovery help us to remain agile and build products our clients love.
What has been your greatest achievement since coming into the industry?
Building and scaling technology that helps more than 80m sq ft of real estate operate more efficiently and improve the occupier experience. We have an incredible team that has made it possible.
Why real estate as a career?
Real estate shapes who we are as a society. The built environment influences how we live and work, so the positive impact you can have on people’s lives really is huge. It has traditionally been seen as a slow-moving sector but that is changing as the pace of innovation and technology adoption accelerates.
Tanja Yerolemou-Ennsgraber, head of portfolio management – real estate debt, Cain International
Yerolemou-Ennsgraber joined Cain International in 2015 and throughout her seven-year tenure has supported transactions across the UK and Europe as its portfolio has grown to more than $6bn (£4.7bn) in direct loans committed globally.
She was appointed head of portfolio management for Cain’s debt team in March 2023 and now oversees the global debt portfolio, ensuring a co-ordinated approach towards the firm’s current and potential partnerships.
Though her role has shifted to focus on leading the management of the entire debt portfolio team, Yerolemou-Ennsgraber remains influential in deal sourcing and last year steered Cain’s £86m development loan for Fetter Lane, a 95,000 sq ft London office project targeting the highest environmental standards of BREEAM Outstanding, WiredScore, SmartScore and WELL certifications.
Yerolemou-Ennsgraber on…
What role do young people have in the real estate industry today?
I believe that young people play a significant role in driving technological change across the real estate business and in introducing sustainable practices.
Where do you see the biggest opportunity for young people in the sector?
Young people have the opportunity to create a welcoming and open community, inviting people in and introducing the younger generation’s prioritisation of community engagement and social responsibility to the work setting to drive transformational real estate developments and operations.
What do you hope/think the real estate industry will look like at the end of your career?
I hope for a truly diverse workforce, in terms of ethnicities, nationalities, genders and age at all levels of “seniority” for variety of thought and progress. I have seen a tiny bit of movement since I have started working in the industry, but by no means anything significant or transformational.
Divya Hariramani Herrero, associate director, sustainable design and wellbeing business unit lead, Longevity Partners
As one of the first employees at Longevity Partners, Herrero has been instrumental in its growth and success. She joined in November 2017, aged 24, when the firm had only one office and three staff. Since then, Longevity has worked with more than 100 blue-chip clients, completing projects in more than 40 countries. The firm now has offices in 10 cities across three continents and employs more than 190 experts.
Herrero has played an integral part in the firm’s growth, having set up and grown the sustainable design and wellbeing business unit into one of the company’s largest revenue-generating units, now with a team of 20 experts. Her holistic approach is critical to accelerating the transition to a more sustainable future, as she aims to ensure the design of efficient buildings that work for both the people and the environment.
Herrero on…
Why real estate as a career?
Impact! Real estate accounts for approximately 40% of global carbon emissions, making buildings key in our journey to reach net zero goals. This is an industry where you can have a tremendous environmental impact even at a project level.
Where do you see the biggest opportunity for young people in the sector?
Disruption! The business-as-usual way of doing things clearly hasn’t worked. We and the younger generations have the opportunity to change things, shake things up and try new ways of designing, building and operating buildings to create true holistic regeneration of our cities.
What has been your greatest achievement since coming into the industry?
Building our sustainable design team from scratch, setting it up on our own terms, and ensuring all our projects are centred around holistic sustainability and regeneration. Most exciting is that this is only the beginning.
If you could stand for one thing, what would it be?
We can’t just create extremely efficient buildings, we need to ensure they are also thriving spaces for all.
What role do young people have in the real estate industry today?
Young people bring so much relevance to the industry and keep the more experienced members on their toes. We are putting sustainability at the forefront and integrating necessary changes to design briefs and agenda priorities.
Laura Hancox, director of partner programmes, WiredScore
Hancox joined WiredScore in 2020, when the company was operating in eight markets and searching for ways to expand quickly and effectively. Identifying an opportunity to expedite growth, she set up WiredScore’s Accredited Professional programme to help educate the CRE market on the role technology has to play in the future of the sector.
In 2023, WiredScore’s presence spans 36 countries across four continents, largely facilitated by a growing ecosystem of accredited professionals. More than 1,500 engineers and consultants are now working with WiredScore to educate the industry on the role of smart technology. As the AP programme has grown, Hancox has championed it as a platform to promote the opinions and experiences of APs from communities that are underrepresented in the real estate sector.
Her leadership has been instrumental, says WiredScore, in moving the business closer to realising its mission to make the world’s buildings smarter and better connected.
Hancox on…
What role do young people have in the real estate industry today?
There is a huge swathe of new skills that young people are bringing to a sector which has often been quite resistant to change. A rise in digital-backed skills will only bring about faster progression and enable us to keep up with other sectors.
What has been your greatest achievement since coming into the industry?
Building a dynamic team with diverse experiences and perspectives has been my standout achievement. It’s exciting to see real estate embracing change amid tech disruption, the climate crisis and evolving lifestyles and I believe we’ll do a better job of adapting to the new challenges we face by looking outside of our industry for inspiration and guidance.
If you could stand for one thing, what would it be?
Pay equality, driven by better transparency.
What do you hope/think the real estate industry will look like at the end of your career?
I envision an industry that embraces empathetic leadership in tackling societal challenges. I am motivated by the idea that we must take the reins of change instead of waiting for others. Imagine a future, 50 years from now, where this mentality permeates the real estate sector; we will be benefiting from a healthier and more equitable world.
Joshua Bond, managing director, Bond Land
Pioneering a strategic, client-focused approach to site identification, Bond has led Bond Land to facilitate more than £200m of transactions in five years, with a further £70m in the pipeline.
Founded in April 2018, when Bond was just 22 years old, Bond Land now operates across all areas of Greater London and in and around the UK’s major cities, with a client roster including SEGRO, V Fund, Amro and Galliard Homes. Despite being founded during a period of significant economic turbulence, Bond has led the business to sustained growth, topping £1m annual turnover last year.
Bond had an unconventional route into the sector, swapping university for an apprenticeship in business development. Brokering small central London transactions since his late teens, Bond’s first deal was a £5.5m project in London’s Fitzovia, converting an office block into six luxury flats.
Bond on…
What is the biggest misconception about young people in real estate?
Many people often underestimate the capabilities of young professionals in the real estate industry, assuming that age directly correlates with experience. In my role as the owner of a property consultancy firm, I’ve witnessed the exceptional talents within our younger generation first-hand. Our team’s dynamism and fresh perspectives have proven time and again that age is not a determinant of success in this dynamic field. We have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge with willingness to continue to evolve within the industry.
Why real estate as a career?
From an early age, my fascination with the intricacies of real estate led me down this career path. Becoming a part of the property consultancy landscape was a natural progression for me. What is truly exciting about the real estate realm is the power it holds to effect substantial change, addressing pressing issues like the housing crisis head-on. It’s a rewarding journey to contribute to reshaping communities and fostering growth through innovative property solutions.
What role do you believe young people have in the real estate industry today?
Young professionals have a pivotal role in reshaping the real estate landscape. We’re at the forefront of challenging conventional norms, whether by championing sustainable practices to elevate environmental standards or harnessing technology to revolutionise industry processes. At Bond Land, we’ve redefined the client experience through a tailored, hands-on approach to site finding. Our success demonstrates how the youth can bring fresh perspectives and progressive ideas to create lasting industry transformations.
Who or what do you look to for inspiration in building your career?
My inspiration draws from a multitude of sources, especially motivational speeches that fuel a positive mindset. I firmly believe that mindset shapes our trajectory. I find resonance in Denzel Washington’s motivational speeches, particularly his wisdom that “dreams without goals will remain dreams and ultimately fuel disappointment”. This reminder underscores the essence of discipline and consistency in turning ambitious visions into tangible accomplishments. Inspiration, for me, is found in a diverse spectrum of accomplished individuals from various fields, all contributing to my journey of growth and success in the industry.
What is your greatest achievement since coming into the industry?
Launching my agency at the age of 22 and steering its remarkable growth in less than five years remains a defining achievement. Collaborating with industry giants like the Crown Estate, Galliard and SEGRO has not only been fulfilling but a testament to our commitment to excellence. Navigating the challenges posed by Brexit, the pandemic and interest rate fluctuations while sustaining consistent growth has been a formidable journey. The lessons learnt have fortified my resolve to propel Bond Land to greater heights, setting a course for a promising and impactful future.
Lily Wydra, GIS, land and property manager, Related Argent
Wydra is responsible for promoting an “information culture” and enforcing processes and standards. She is experienced in bringing spatial solutions to the property and infrastructure portfolio.
Under her stewardship, Related Argent has adopted a cloud-based system of spatial data management, visualisation and business intelligence, in addition to becoming a UK leader in drone surveys. Wydra and her team are bringing solutions to a full portfolio of sites, including land assembly, infrastructure and estate management. By training staff and implementing best practices, she is ensuring her company is using GIS-related technology to its full potential, making more informed decisions based on accurate and up-to-date spatial information.
Wydra on…
Why real estate as a career?
It is a great career choice. There is a diverse range of opportunities with good financial rewards. You deal with new challenges and opportunities often on a daily basis and provide innovative solutions to places, in turn making them more liveable, sustainable and attractive. It is an opportunity to change the landscape of the world for the better.
What’s the one thing you wish the current generation of leaders would do differently?
It would be great to see them becoming more directly involved in encouraging new people into the industry and ensuring that the climate crisis is at the top of their agenda. I’d also like to see social value become a higher priority, so that neither people nor planet suffer at the hands of the real estate sector.
Where do you see the biggest opportunity for young people in the sector today?
Real estate gives them a chance to build a brighter future for themselves and for future generations, especially when it comes to finding solutions in the built environment that can help overcome the climate crisis.
If you could stand for one thing, what would it be?
My values are fairly straightforward: to understand, to grow and to be the best version of myself in helping the organisation achieve its goals and thrive. So I hope I stand for commitment, evolution and a good work and moral ethic. I’m not a fan of labels, we are all creations on this Earth. But I did come into this industry in the UK as a young, foreign woman and I hope my successes so far can show others that they can make it in this industry, no matter where they are coming from.
What is the biggest misconception about young people in real estate?
That a lack of experience means they cannot do a job or will do it badly. Young people may take greater risks or do things differently, but from that stems innovation and new ideas.
Sinéad Clarkson, quantity surveyor, PH Plasterers
Clarkson is a quantity surveyor working for a regional-scale plastering subcontractor based in Otley, West Yorkshire. She is a recent degree apprenticeship graduate and has a strong commitment to promoting gender equity in the construction industry.
Clarkson is passionate about improving the industry and increasing awareness of construction careers in younger people, who she believes are the future of the industry. As a STEM-Go Construct and RICS Inspire ambassador, Clarkson attends events in schools and speaks with young people about careers in construction.
She is also a committee member for the Yorkshire branch of the National Association of Women in Construction, through which she is involved in its School2Site programme, which aims to promote construction careers to female students through site visits and events.
Last year, Clarkson initiated and led a successful campaign, inspired by her personal experiences of working on construction sites, to include provision of sanitary products as a mandatory requirement within best practice guidelines and to better accommodate the needs of women working on construction sites.
Clarkson on…
What’s the one thing you wish the current generation of leaders would do differently?
Our industry can still be quite adversarial. I wish that the current generation of leaders would work more collaboratively with all members of the supply chain, and introduce collaborative working at earlier stages of the project timeline. I also wish that they would integrate DEI as a core element of business practice. Listening to the ideas and thoughts of the younger generations would be great too.
What has been your greatest achievement since coming into the industry?
I am most proud of the work I have done towards advancing inclusion for women in my industry. Last year, I successfully campaigned for the Considerate Constructors Scheme to include sanitary provision as a mandatory requirement on certified sites. Earlier this year, I published a peer-review research piece which looked at the best methods to increase the number of women in surveying careers. I have also recently become co-chair of the Yorkshire division of the National Association for Women in Construction and I am hoping to use this position to support women in our industry.
What is the biggest misconception people have about young people in real estate?
Whenever I tell people about the industry that I work in, they assume that I am working in a trade role on a construction site every day. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I think that my sector of the industry really needs to shake that image – it’s not just hard hats, boots and hi-vis on muddy building sites. There are a wide range of professional career options available for young people.
If you could stand for one thing, what would it be?
I would stand for equity for all in the workplace, across all areas: facilities, policy, pay and culture. I believe that everyone deserves access to the same opportunities, regardless of any characteristic or background. I think this is an area which our industry really needs to focus on.
What do you hope/think the real estate industry will look like at the end of your career?
I hope to see an industry that has embraced collaboration and fairer working practices to support a diverse workforce. I think that, with the rate of technology advancement, it will look very different to how it does today – although exactly what that will look like, I couldn’t imagine.
Rosie Hill, head of marketing, Nido
Hill joined Nido in 2018. Her marketing strategy and campaigns have supported Nido’s expansion across Europe and from April 2022 to March 2023 she helped the business achieve full occupancy in the new markets of Denmark, Portugal and Spain while integrating Smart Studios’ 2,088 beds under its own brand, turning Nido into one of the largest student accommodation operators in Portugal.
Hill is responsible for managing a team of six located across five countries, ensuring highly localised, tactical and effective marketing campaigns are implemented across the Nido portfolio to make sure occupancy targets are met and exceeded year-on-year.
She has also undertaken projects which have added value to the business, including implementing Nido’s CRM system, ensuring it was tailored to each market and that the customer journey is seamless and automated throughout. At the same time, she launched Nido’s complex, multi-lingual website, resulting in a 234% increase in conversion rate.
Having started her career as an intern, Hill’s talent has shone through and she has quickly been promoted to assistant, executive and manager, and now hopes to continue her rapid career progression.
Hill on…
What role do you believe young people have in the real estate industry today?
Young people are inherent collaborators, they are more inclusive and diverse than any generation before them. They bring that positive energy to the real estate space and know how to harness partnerships, knowledge and innovation authentically to make the most of the bricks and mortar.
If you could stand for one thing, what would it be?
Inclusivity. It’s so important on so many levels. As a child, I hated to see anyone being left out or bullied for being different in some way. As an adult, I think it’s so important for people to feel part of a community and included in something bigger than just themselves. From a real estate perspective, I think the industry is shifting away from traditional bricks and mortar and towards the bringing together of people and the building of communities.
Why real estate as a career?
I started my career as a resident ambassador in a purpose-built student accommodation building, so I would say real estate chose me. It’s an excellent sector to get rounded experience across lots of varied functions, particularly in the PBSA space as it’s incredibly fast-paced. If you’re a multi-tasker or problem solver, you will find ways to add value and progress faster than you might in other sectors.
What is the biggest misconception people have about young people in real estate?
That this generation are “too woke for work”. I think young people tend to be more comfortable in their own opinions than the generations before them, so are more vocal about topics like flexible working, mental health, equality and diversity and are more protective of their time away from work. Popular opinion seems to be that young people are “too woke” and work-shy. I don’t think this is true at all, but I do think people are learning to work smarter, making use of technology, prioritising efficiently, working the hours they are most productive as opposed to a traditional nine-to-five. I think that with good leadership and mutual respect, the incoming generation will work just as hard and make just as much impact as the ones before, hopefully even surpass them.
What do you hope/think the real estate industry will look like at the end of your career?
It is my hope that the real estate sector will own its responsibility when it comes to the impact it is having on the future of our planet. I hope that we’ll be utilising technology and innovation from some of the brightest minds in the business to see a real change in the way we are working and shifting from building empires to building communities.
Sunny-Thomas Obasuyi, governing council member, RICS
Obasuyi made history by becoming the first young member of the RICS Governing Council in its 155-year history. He beat five other candidates with a campaign focused on promoting diversity and inclusivity and attracting talented individuals to the industry. As a member, Obasuyi aims to encourage diverse perspectives and leadership within the sector to shape a forward-thinking vision for the RICS that embraces innovation and creates improved spaces and places for future generations.
While at BNP Paribas Real Estate, Obasuyi spearheaded its inaugural ethnicity pay report, fostering real change in the business. The report has encouraged BNP PRE to prioritise transparency and take concrete steps towards fostering change within its industry.
Obasuyi has a strong passion for advocating for neurodiverse colleagues, fuelled by his personal experience with dyslexia. He has dedicated significant effort to implementing new techniques and software that can assist colleagues with disabilities in the workplace, has advocated implementing new procedures, software and services and worked tirelessly, pushing for change to make the workplace more inclusive and accessible.
Obasuyi on…
What one thing should the current generation of leaders do differently?
Real estate leaders need to take an active role in mentoring and supporting young professionals. By sharing their experiences, offering guidance and promoting a collaborative work environment, they can help bridge the gap between veterans and emerging talent. Developing a culture of mentorship will not only lead to personal growth for young people, it will help create a more robust and innovative industry.
What role do young people have in the real estate industry today?
Young people play a critical role in propelling innovation and providing new insights. Their contribution is crucial in adopting modern technologies, promoting sustainability practices and driving change. They bring dynamism, flexibility and a desire to question established beliefs, which are essential for the industry’s advancement.
If you could stand for one thing, what would it be?
If there is one thing I could advocate for, it would be a real estate culture that is diverse and inclusive. By making this a priority, we promote a sense of belonging, strengthen relationships, and encourage innovation. My focus would be on putting the needs of employees first by fostering diversity and inclusivity in workplaces, schools and communities. This would create a fair and just environment for everyone, within and outside the organisation.
Why real estate as a career?
Real estate is a career that offers a dynamic and multifaceted environment. Every day is different, and I enjoy combining my passion for architecture, problem-solving and entrepreneurship. It allows me to make a tangible impact on communities and businesses and helps shape the growth and transformation of cities.
What do you hope/think the real estate industry will look like at the end of your career?
By the end of my career, I want to see an industry that fully embraces sustainability and social responsibility as fundamental pillars of every project. I envision a technologically advanced sector where AI and virtual reality seamlessly integrate into various processes, enhancing efficiency and customer experiences. I also hope to witness a more diverse and inclusive industry where young professionals are involved in shaping the future of real estate, working alongside experienced leaders to create a more resilient and forward-looking sector.
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