Q&A: Five minutes with Adrienne Howells

How did you join the property industry?

I joined Lidl UK as a graduate store manager and subsequently ended up working from one of the regional property offices. There I saw what the retail property team did day to day and I soon realised that was the job I wanted. When a vacancy came up within the team, I jumped at the chance to join them.

What does your job entail now?

I am a senior development director for GLP, with responsibility for the acquisition and development of new logistics space.

What do you like most about the property industry?

I love the fact I have the opportunity to work both in the office but also out on site. I also get to meet customers and learn about their individual business requirements.

And what do you dislike most about it?

The lack of diversity within the industry.

What barriers or challenges do you feel you have overcome?

I was overlooked twice for promotion, despite having stepped up to the role in an informal temporary capacity. Both times I lost out to male candidates who were automatically considered to be stronger. Needless to say, it didn’t always work out for the best – one of them left after two months, as he was completely unsuitable for the role.

Thankfully, instances such as these are far less likely to occur now than when I started in property, so I hope that I’ve overcome the barrier of being female in a male-dominated industry and paved the way for others to have equal opportunities.

What are you most proud of in your career?

G Park Mammoth 602 in Doncaster (pictured, below) is one of the biggest and most sustainable logistics buildings in the north of England. It was net zero in construction and achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard. My favourite part of the whole development was the creation of a ‘tiny forest’ in collaboration with the charity Earthwatch. It is the size of a tennis court, densely planted with fast-growing native trees. I am very excited to see how many animal and plant species we can attract to it over the years to come.

What advice would you give someone starting a career in the property industry?

Ask as many questions as you can. People love to share their passion and knowledge.

What TV series do you like?

I really enjoyed Ted Lasso. It was insightful, funny and captivating, with a vast array of characters you could really relate to. Perhaps we should all be a bit more Ted Lasso in our approach!

What’s your favourite book?

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. I lived near Haworth in West Yorkshire and used to run up to ruined farm house Top Withens, which is widely thought to have been the inspiration behind the novel. It’s a beautiful landscape but it certainly wuthers.

What’s your number-one travel destination?

I loved St Lucia when I went there a few years ago. The beautiful landscapes, golden sand and sunny skies are incredible, but also not to be missed are the mud baths and cocoa plantations.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

I would like to be able to fly – no more traffic jams – and the ability to see more of the world.