The fantastic 5

A lot happens over two decades, particularly when talking about London. “Twenty years ago, the property market was beginning to boom, and we would not have anticipated a credit crisis or, ten years later, a pandemic,” Lynne Hawkins reflects on her time at KFH. “Yet through all the challenges thrown at it, the London property market has remained steadfastly robust.” Hawkins and her team can certainly lay claim to knowing all there is to know about the Capital. “All of our customers rely on our greater understanding of property issues and value in this part of the country, so a significant part of my role is to ensure we can deliver that expertise wherever and for whomever it is required.”

Hawkins talks passionately about her role at KFH, so is she keen on promoting women in surveying “We absolutely encourage women,” she states. “The traditional view of surveying and valuing property, which is usually a middle-aged man on some ladders poking around someone’s loft, is very out of date. Surveyors’ knowledge and skills are in high demand. The nation’s property stock is ageing and will be under huge pressure to become more environmentally suitable in the coming years and values will be affected by not only the impact of the climate on property, but how properties impact the climate. ”Much has changed in 20 years, but a key aspect of KFH for Hawkins has remained resolutely intact. “The people here are the most rewarding bunch you could hope to work with,” she says. “KFH is one big family, and a huge amount of our founder’s time and energy goes into ensuring everyone feels that way.” Long may that continue.

Where is your favourite place in London?

I grew up in Chelsea, so the King’s Road. It’s changed a lot over the years, but I still love going back.

What is your dream property?

If I told you that then it would go up in price! The key is to buy where you know things are planned to improve.

Meeting Jasmin Athwal, one question instantly springs to mind: what exactly is a director of people? “Attracting and finding the best people for our business,” she begins, “and ensuring that we are able to support them through their learning and develop them so that they are confident to fully perform their role with us, as well being the best version of themselves. We are looking for people who love what they do, or what they will be doing, a professional drive to always be better, tenacious as there will always be another way, be proud of who they are and what they bring to the table – and to enjoy themselves!”

It certainly appears Athwal practices what she preaches. “I love the people that I have to engage with as part of my role,” she nods, “the projects that I get to be involved in and lead, the cross collaboration, the new ideas and innovation along the way, as well as working with the best people and having fun.”

Athwal’s career has to date been diverse, so she’s in the ideal position to look at what KFH can offer its employees. “I have worked across a range of different industries, with companies of all sizes and also in different places in their life cycle as a business, all different at the speed in which they operate – and KFH has the right balance of giving me space to think, develop and then do,” she says. “This has been a great place for me to hone my skill set, develop other people and help drive a new way of thinking for the business. Not all businesses are open to large people-focused change in such a short space of time.”

Where's your favourite place in London?

Any restaurant with fantastic food and cocktails.

What is your dream property?

It would be in St Johns Wood. A lovely little area of London where it still feels peaceful.

When looking back at stand out moments in her 15 years at KFH, Karen Page settles upon two. “The first was being part of organising over 50 members to take part in a Tough Mudder event for our chosen charity London Youth,” she starts. “It was a great event and we raised a lot of money to support a great cause. My second favourite was being invited to Verbier to try my hand at skiing.” She breaks out into a smile, before adding: “It is safe to say that the après ski was more my thing, but what an amazing experience the whole weekend was.”

Two very different experiences, which is rather apt when looking at how Page’s career has played out at KFH. “I started at KFH in June 2007, shortly after my 19th birthday,” she recounts. “I started as a survey administrator in the Bayswater office, before I moved over to the sales side of the business – during my time as a sales administrator I worked in five offices within the south west region. Seven years in I decided to broaden my property knowledge by working as a sales negotiator in the Streatham office, before returning to the administration side in 2016 at a senior level.” Considering her role today is PA to sales directors, it's unsurprising to learn what she loves best about the job. “It’s the people,” she says. “You spend more time at work than you do at home, so for me it is important to feel like work is an addition to my family and, most importantly, I enjoy my work.

The options are endless at KFH and you have an opportunity to choose your career. There is a path for all and you will not be disappointed. My career has gone from strength to strength over the years. The knowledge I have gained along the way could not have been achieved in the classroom.” One of Karen Page’s highlights may have involved going downhill fast, but her career has been anything but.

Where is your favourite place in London?

London Southbank is my favourite spot, especially in the summer.

What is your dream property?

I have narrowed this down to south west London and would love to own a huge house in Wimbledon Village.

If you are keen to learn about opportunities within KFH, then speak to Roxanne Naomi Alleyne. Some 14 years ago, when seeking out a career that was right for her, Alleyne took a punt on estate agency. “I started as a lettings negotiator at 19 years of age, fresh out of college with very little experience in the industry,” she recalls. “I flourished and quickly became the top negotiator in the division.” As the years have advanced, so too has Alleyne’s career.

In 2013 she became assistant manager of the East Dulwich office, before being promoted to lettings branch director in 2017. At the time of this interview, she is about to embark on the next stage of her career, taking over as lettings branch director of KFH’s Kennington branch. “I am super excited about the challenge and opportunity,” she enthuses. Alleyne says she loves working in lettings due to it being “very fast paced”, adding she enjoys meeting interesting people and winning new instructions. How does she approach managing her team? “I want to build and encourage them to maintain their high levels of service and produce great results, whilst reaching their own personal goals,” she says.

It’s a demanding job, which is why time away from the office is spent wisely. “I am happiest being with my family, enjoying day trips out in London and creating memories,” Alleyne smiles. “I have an obsession with online shopping, and the new thing to help me unwind after a busy day in the office is Hot Pod yoga.”

Looking back over her career, Alleyne has only warm words to say about how KFH have encouraged her to develop within the business. “They are a fantastic company to work for,” she says. “There is a great feeling of community and diversity where you can learn and develop yourself amongst inspiring, like-minded people. Also,” she adds with a smile, “if it wasn’t for KFH I wouldn’t have met my husband and had my beautiful children.”

Where is your favourite place in London?

Going to watch a show at any theatre.

What is your dream property?

A detached mansion overlooking Wandsworth Common.

Sarah Burgess is a unique interview for this feature, considering she is in charge of a department that is a relatively new addition to KFH. “Being given the opportunity to oversee the tenancy progression department has been a wonderful period of learning and personal and professional growth,” Burgess says on her role, which launched at the start of the year. What exactly does the job entail? “At the moment I am busy ensuring a smooth transition of tenancy progression from our front offices to our newly formed team who are based in our head office. This involves looking at all processes and establishing best practices that are then seen through from offer accepted to completion by both branch and my team. Once our department is fully embedded, I will oversee 22 tenancy progressors who will manage in the region of 7,500-8,000 tenancies each year.”

Burgess joined KFH in 2014 as lettings branch director of what was then the newly opened Clapham Common office, so clearly she’s one for launching projects. “I have been fortunate enough to receive nothing but support from those who I have reported to,” Burgess says on her career progression, “as well as all functions of the business that I have dealt with. Having come from working in front office, I love that I am able to use my experience in that area to ensure it translates to a smooth transition to this new team and to be able to build something that is beneficial to all aspects of the business.”

Given the pressures of overseeing a new division, if anyone deserves a break soon, it’s Burgess. “I am usually happiest when I am sitting in an airport with a glass of champagne waiting to board a flight to either a holiday destination or to Australia to see my family,” she laughs. “The anticipation itself is almost as good as the hot air that hits your face when you first step off the plane.”

Where is your favourite place in London?

Anywhere that involves a rooftop, sunshine and live music.

What is your dream property?

10 Downing Street. The rental yield would be quite lucrative.