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To mark International Women’s Day this year, we spoke to some of the inspiring women we work with. Leaders from the world of real estate, design and architecture share their best career advice, their key role models, and the changes they would like to see take place for women in their industry.
Claire Reynolds, Sotheby’s Real Estate
Claire Reynolds is managing partner at Sotheby’s International Realty in the UK and has nearly two decades of experience in luxury property. Before joining Sotheby's, Claire spent 18 years at Savills, where she sat on the UK Residential Operations Board and served as Co-Head of Prime Central London.
Claire's career has been marked by her strategic leadership in senior positions for over a decade. With a profound passion for her work, she has cultivated a loyal client base and earned acclaim as a skilled negotiator on some of Central London's most high-profile sales.
What is the best piece of career advice you've ever received?
My late father always said, ‘Do what you love and you will be successful.’ I firmly stand by these wise words. If you are passionate about what you do and believe in the journey and goals ahead, you will outperform anyone whose heart isn't truly in it. Successful businesses are built on vision, passion and values, not from a sole purpose to make money.
What professional achievement are you most proud of?
Last year was the most challenging of my career, but also the most rewarding. Having only just joined the business, and last year being our first full year in operation, we grew the company from essentially a start-up to become London’s luxury market leader with £1.2bn in sales and number one position for sold market share above £10m. This exponential growth forced us to completely rethink the way we had previously worked; the extreme learning curve was hard but also a gift. I love the quote "Disrupt yourself before someone else does." If you allow yourself to become comfortable, you will fall behind. Our entire business model is based on disruption – challenging both ourselves and the industry to deliver a higher standard of service, expertise and performance.
Which female role model has provided inspiration or mentorship during your career?
I am a fan of Brené Brown. Success in the real estate industry is all about building meaningful relationships, and Brené’s research into relationships and leadership is a source of inspiration to me both professionally and personally. We are now in a world where EQ carries more weight than ever before and, in my opinion, exceptional service extends beyond what you do for clients – the lasting memory is actually how you made them feel. Thoughtful detail and actions go a long way and the very best brokers in our industry differentiate themselves by converting transactional loyalty from clients into emotional loyalty.
Jemimah Graff, Martin Kemp Design
Jemimah Graff is the CEO of Martin Kemp Design, the leading interior design studio renowned for its exceptional design on super-prime residential developments such as One Palace Green, as well as the world's finest homes, superyachts and private jets.
Jemimah joined MKD in 2013, having first met Martin Kemp while working at construction company Knight Harwood through his role as creative director at Candy London. She was promoted to commercial director in 2016 and CEO in 2022, and now leads a growing team of designers to drive the growth and development of the studio globally.
What is the best piece of career advice you've ever received?
Just say ‘yes’ and figure it out later.
Which female role model has provided inspiration or mentorship during your career?
My peers and fellow colleagues who have grown up alongside me in the industry, most notably MKD’s very own design director, Jaye Gloag. We cheer each other on and are great sounding boards for difficult situations.
What are you most looking forward to in 2025?
Some significant project completions are coming this year, including the launch of One Palace Green, which we are so very proud of.
Amelia Bardot, REDD
Senior development manager Amelia Bardot oversees REDD's development projects from inception through to completion. Working with leading architects, contractors and designers, she manages the development of unique and historically significant properties, including 6 Charles Street and One Palace Green.
Prior to joining REDD in 2019, Amelia worked in project and development management roles for property companies including MHA and Pinnacle Group.
What is the best piece of career advice you've ever received?
When you feel very comfortable in your career/work, it’s time to take on a new challenge. In development and construction we are fortunate to work in an ever-evolving landscape of design, construction and planning. There is always more to learn and new challenges to take on, which can be daunting, but this provides experience, presents opportunities and drives self-development which, to me, is so key to job satisfaction.
Which female role model has provided inspiration or mentorship during your career?
I’d say it’s been a collection and network of brilliant women, who have made a consistent effort to reach out and support me and other women in the industry. The Taylor Howes breakfasts set up by Karen Howes and Jane Landino have been amazing to be a part of over the years. They bring a room of incredibly inspiring women together to share experiences and support each other in the room and beyond.
How would you like to see your industry change for women in the future?
I would like to see more female CEOs in the development world. This could be really exciting.
What are you most looking forward to in 2025?
Positivity in the London property market, collectively, we have the ability to drive this. This is an incredible city that is so rich in history, culture, great food and architecture and is diverse and inclusive. We need to encourage this, celebrate it and shine a positive light on London and the UK.
Barbara Twine, Flanagan Lawrence
Barbara Twine is a director at Flanagan Lawrence, an award-winning, design-led studio of architects and interior designers. She works on a broad portfolio of projects at various stages of the design process, including large-scale residential schemes, mixed-use proposals and high-end commercial developments.
Prior to Flanagan Lawrence, Barbara had an international presence, working in Houston, Texas, within the education sector and in South Africa, where she was involved in several high-end hotel and leisure schemes.
What is the best piece of career advice you've ever received?
Have the confidence to query and never pretend to have the answer if you don’t. Instead, take the question away, find the right solution, and respond with confidence. You’ll earn far more respect by seeking accuracy than by giving a rushed, incorrect answer.
What professional achievement are you most proud of?
Becoming the first female director of Flanagan Lawrence was a significant milestone, but not one defined by gender. It was the result of years of dedication and hard work.
This step wasn’t about breaking barriers for the sake of it but about proving my capabilities, earning respect, and making a meaningful impact through the work I delivered. I hope, however, this has eased the path for the many young talented architects I work with.
What advice would you give to a woman starting out in your industry?
Don’t dwell on being the only woman in the room – it may happen often. Trust in your abilities and have confidence in your voice but resist the pressure to overcompensate or dominate the conversation. You have earned your place at the table.
Which female role model has provided inspiration or mentorship during your career?
Flanagan Lawrence is a very balanced studio, and as such, I have been fortunate to work alongside some incredible women whose resilience and confidence have influenced not only how I navigate the workplace but also how I balance life as both an architect and a mother.
How would you like to see your industry change for women in the future?
The construction and architecture industries are already evolving and making progress, but there’s still work to be done in creating truly flexible and inclusive career paths that look to balance professional growth with personal priorities without having to compromise on opportunities.
Flexibility is key, not just for women but for everyone, as work-life balance is becoming a universal priority. Things like project-based roles, hybrid work models (where possible), and clearer pathways for career progression that don’t penalise people for taking career breaks could make a huge difference.
Right now, many great initiatives focus on balancing the numbers, but real success will come when those efforts are no longer needed – when the industry naturally supports diverse career journeys without bias.
Laura Conduit, Farrers
Laura Conduit is a partner at independent law firm Farrers, where she leads the residential property department. Laura deals with all types of residential property, with particular experience in the prime central London market.
Laura predominately focusses on buying and selling both leasehold and freehold residential property for her clients, with values ranging from £25,000 to £30m+. Her broad client base includes numerous UK and overseas-based individuals and she regularly acts for trusts and companies, whether UK or offshore structures.
What is the best piece of career advice you have ever received?
Focus on your own desk. By which my boss at the time meant stop worrying about what other colleagues were doing and just do the best I could for my own clients and career. It’s advice I give others today.
What professional achievement are you most proud of?
Taking on the role of departmental managing partner of the property department (c. 100 people) at Farrers last August.
How would you like to see your industry change for women in the future?
I’d like our male allies to keep working on gender balance and gender diversity. Is there a good number of women on the panel/in the team/at the dinner? If not, fix it. The dream would be to not need a special day to celebrate women – that will mean we’ve truly reached equality!
Karen Howes and Jane Landino, Taylor Howes
CEO Karen Howes and Design and Creative Head of Studio Jane Landino lead the team at Taylor Howes, the international design studio founded by Karen in 1993.
Over the last three decades, Taylor Howes has made its name within the industry for interiors that are elegant, dynamic, and infused with passion and creativity. The studio has delivered award-winning interior design schemes at REDD projects 7 Charles Street and 51 Mount Street.
What is the best piece of career advice you've ever received?
Jane: I think to never give up, just to keep going! Resilience really is the key to success. When you get knocked down, get back up, dust yourself down and try again, understanding that you are going to have ups and downs and to stay focussed on your long term goals.
What advice would you give to a woman starting out in your industry?
Jane: To build their network of other women who will lift them up and help them. One thing that I have found incredibly powerful in the last 10 years is that women are so generous when it comes to mentoring, sharing their network, giving career advice and advocating for each other. We run a women’s breakfast networking event and I am constantly inspired and uplifted by the generosity of spirit of the women that attend and who share their stories and advice.
How would you like to see your industry change for women in the future?
Karen: We are lucky as interior designers that there are a lot of women starting businesses and at the top of their game. I would like to see this move through the other sectors we work with, such as project management and the building industry.
What are you most looking forward to in 2025?
Karen: Nurturing and growing our team and taking our directors and mentoring them from being managers to leaders and entrepreneurs.
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