With a career in property spanning almost two decades, Hellyn Fairbrother, regional sales manager at Guinness Homes, has seen it all. But in a largely male-dominated industry, what does it take to be a woman in property?
Tell us about your career so far
“Before my days in property, I worked as a teacher for 15 years. However, with a family history in property, it’s no surprise that I’ve ended dedicating the past 18 years of my career to the industry. Throughout this time, I’ve worked for numerous developers including Barratt Developments, Miller Homes, a number of retirement housing providers, and now The Guinness Partnership.
“Although each step of my career has had its highs and lows, Guinness Homes is particularly special to me. As one of the oldest housing associations in London, and one with such a positive ethos, being at the forefront of their [Guinness Homes] London and South East developments is something I am proud to be able to do.”
Can you think of any ‘standouts’ in your career?
“There are so many! But no matter where my career has taken me, there’s one element of working in property that will always stand out to me, and that’s the moment customers pick up their keys and move in. Although I don’t see this every day, when I do get to be close to those moments, they really stand out. Buying a home is such a life changing, milestone moment and to be a part of that journey is what makes this job worth it.
“A lot of the customers I work with are first time buyers, and whilst they are always overjoyed when purchasing their first home, there’s also something particularly touching about being involved with customers who are making their final house move. Being able to reshape people’s lives – at any stage – is very fulfilling.
“Although I work in sales, my role is more complex than my team just selling homes. A big part of my role is having the experience to know whether a purchase will bring a benefit to the individual’s life, and it is my overall responsibility to make sure that every sale that passes through my patch is compliant. Whilst the process of buying a home is undoubtedly a positive experience, we have to make sure that the purchase aligns comfortably with the buyer’s affordability. We never want to put residents in a position where they are overly stretched to meet payments, so the process is more nuanced than some may think.”
What is the biggest challenge that you’ve overcome?
“As with any job, there are always hurdles to overcome: these are what facilitate growth and development. But there was one moment several years ago with a previous developer that I’ll never forget.
“We were coming up to practical completion at one of my smaller developments, just shy of 30 homes. We had residents lined up, ready to collect their keys in the coming weeks, when something happened to cause almost all of the development to be knocked down. Everything came crashing down around us, both physically, and metaphorically.
“Not only did we have the business’ reputation to protect, but the lives of so many people who were preparing to start a new life in one of the affected properties had been thrown into chaos. It was so disruptive; the sales were in chains, with a ripple effect quickly escalating the damage.
“Somehow, through a lot of damage control and resilience, we managed to rectify the crisis, and get those people into their new homes. It cost my previous employer a lot of money, but protecting the organisation’s reputation and ensuring our customer’s plans stayed on track was never a question in our minds. It’s our responsibility to make sure the customer has a positive experience, no matter what.
“Being so close to the project meant I felt every moment of that time very deeply, but it was my team that I felt for most. That situation highlighted the importance of having a strong team; as they’re the ones who see you through the hard times, and who are by your side celebrating the good.”
Who are your female mentors and role models in the property industry?
“In an industry with a lot of male players, I’ve been very lucky to have worked with so many inspirational women, some of whom have since left the industry, but we still keep in touch to this day. Two that particularly stand out are Anne Crick and Elaine Stratford, both of whom were directors. From the start of my career, it’s been the women by my side that championed my skills as a reasoned decision maker as well as my ability to secure sales.
“On a more personal level, I grew up in a family of strong, independent women. My mother raised three successful children; a lot of who I am today is because of her.”
How important are female role models to young women entering their careers?
“As a mother of two daughters, I make it my mission to make sure they see that women can be whoever they want to be and accomplish anything they aspire to. In a way, we’re all role models to someone.
“To young women entering male dominated environments, although a lot has changed from when I entered the industry, be prepared to be steely. But that goes for people of any gender. High level, professional environments can be challenging and might not be for everyone, but I can say from experience that a career in property will open so many doors… pardon the pun!
“Although the property industry is a rich, empowering one, and Guinness is an employer that champions women, not enough is widely being done to encourage women into the sector. It would be brilliant to see more women find their passion in property.”
What are your final words of advice to anyone considering a career in property?
“You’ve got to be a ‘people person’ as you never know who you’re going to meet next. Most importantly, you’ve got prepared to work hard. There will be challenges, but if you’re able to rise above and speak up for your opinions, you’ll go far.”
