_Inesha Holt: “It can be daunting when you don’t see others who look or sound like you.”
Inesha Holt: “It can be daunting when you don’t see others who look or sound like you.”
Lifestyle
For Knight Frank's Inspirational Women series, Inesha reflects on working her way up through the real estate industry and recognising the importance of paving the way and setting the standard for newcomers.
Inesha Holt vividly remembers the moment she decided to pivot into real estate. “I had no idea about the commercial property world before joining many years ago,” she recalls. Her current role as a Partner in the London Tenant Representation team stands as a testament to her recognition of sales prowess and the audacity to begin anew.
Formerly a sales executive in new media, Inesha sought a career shift to commercial property to broaden her understanding of business development. "I started my career at the bottom of the industry to build up my knowledge - there are no shortcuts to achieving your goals," she asserts. "But I knew that if I put in the time and effort, I would make a success of it. I’ve always believed in myself and my abilities."
Navigating the business landscape
Inesha's journey involved navigating through various roles in business development. Her success led to promotions from Sales Executive, to Manager, Director and Business Development Director in her previous roles. It was this diverse experience that caught the attention of Knight Frank, offering her a Partner role in 2022, an achievement she proudly describes as a "moment that validated all of the hard work I have put in."
Breaking Barriers
Despite her determination to excel in real estate, Inesha acknowledges the lack of representation particularly for black women in the industry. “It can be daunting when you look around and don’t see many others who look like or sound like you. But you have to acknowledge that you’re one of the few leading the way. You have to take on the responsibility of not only doing your best work but also being a role model for others whilst doing it."
Undeterred, she recognised an opportunity to open doors for others who might face similar challenges. Drawing inspiration from her great grandmother, who worked well into her eighties during a time when it wasn't common for women to work outside the home, Inesha found strength during moments of self-reflection. “Whenever I feel I’m in a space where I don’t fit in, I would wonder what my great grandmother would think, I believe she’d carry on with the job at hand.”
Education as the cornerstone of change
Inesha is on a mission to advance gender representation at Knight Frank, emphasising the importance of education. “I come across many women who were also unaware of this industry as a viable career option,” she says, adding: “At Knight Frank, supporting women, challenging them, providing training, and showcasing clear paths for progress within the company are crucial.”
Ambition, mentorship and giving back
Remaining ambitious to scale new heights in her career, Inesha has also embraced the role of a mentor for many younger individuals at Knight Frank. "For me, there's still a lot more to come. The sky’s the limit," she declares, acknowledging her role in paving the way for others. Her advice to mentees reflects her positive mindset: "I always focus on the success, take on each challenging task as they come, concentrate on your goals, treat people well and enjoy what you do.
As a final nugget of wisdom, Inesha shares a term from her Jamaican upbringing, ‘we’re likkle but we tallawah’. “You may feel small and insignificant, but through your hard work and dedication, you can become successful, influential and hopefully inspire others.”
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