Ahead of this year’s International Women’s Day, we’ve been thinking about our sector, and the pathways we find ourselves to enter it.
Access is everything; networks are the lifeblood on which the industry operates. Knowing who to connect with whom, in the right environment, at the right time is how reputations of those who know, develop over time.
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Across luxury property, architecture, design and hospitality, professional progress rarely happens in isolation. Introductions, shared experience and trusted relationships frequently influence who enters the industry, who advances within it and how standards evolve.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘Give to Gain’, which reflects a principle many leaders in the super-prime sector say has long shaped their careers.
Sharing knowledge, offering guidance and making introductions are not simply generous gestures – they are part of how the industry sustains itself and continues to grow.
That’s why we’ve collated insight from a spectrum of female leaders across luxury property, hospitality, architecture and interiors about how mentorship, collaboration and open networks have influenced their careers. Here’s what they have to say…
Networks are foundational to the super-prime world
The Rise Report, which surveyed 2,225 UK female founders, found that 78% cited human connection and 39% highlighted peer networks as critical to their journey reinforcing the role of mentorship and collaboration in building a thriving, inclusive industry.
In luxury property in particular, relationships and trusted networks often underpin transactions, partnerships and career progression. Many leaders say that being part of the right professional ecosystem can shape opportunities over decades.
 | Priya Rawal, Founder of The Luxury Property Forum |
“In the super prime sector, so much depends on trust, timing and who is in the room. Women are still too often under introduced, under sponsored, or expected to prove themselves twice. So when I can help, I try to do it practically. That might be sharing a piece of insight that saves someone time, making a thoughtful introduction that helps a woman secure the right collaboration, or creating spaces where women can learn from each other openly rather than feeling they have to figure it out alone.
“I have also learned that support is not always about a grand gesture. Sometimes it is checking in on someone who is navigating a difficult project, encouraging a younger leader to put herself forward, or giving her the confidence to ask the question she has been sitting on.
“The bigger point is that our sector is strongest when we make it easier for talented women to be seen, heard and backed. If we share experience, raise standards, and build genuine relationships across disciplines, everyone benefits. The work improves, the industry becomes more collaborative, and the next generation comes through with stronger foundations and more doors open than we had.”
 | Lisa Simon, Head of Residential at Carter Jonas |
Lisa Simon points to the importance of global networks in expanding both knowledge and opportunity. “I have worked in central London for my whole career of 30 years plus. First starting in Chelsea and now in a national role overseeing a network of offices including Mayfair, Kensington and Chelsea and Marylebone which are all home to Super Prime Properties.
“The biggest influence to date in my career in the Luxury end of the property market is being part of the Christies International Real Estate network. When Carter Jonas were appointed UK Affiliate for CIRE in 2022 a global network of over 140 plus global property. Affiliates across 48 countries opened up giving us the opportunity to refer across their global network and to receive referrals from both Christies Auction House, the International Real Estate team and their affiliates.“
“The Affiliates work at the luxury end of the market and I have personally had the opportunity to meet and get to know business owners from Europe, Asia and America. The properties are amazing, from Chateaus to ski chalets, ranches, penthouse apartments, and coastal properties. All very top end from around the world. These business owners are amazing to work with as they are fully invested in promoting and growing their businesses.
“They refer high-net-wealth individuals to us who they work closely with and we have the opportunity to refer to them. They are all very generous with their time and work on trust that our firms have been hand-picked as independent, high-end, professional agencies that can deliver a high stand to our clients. We all share knowledge. Attend networking events and refer our key clients to each other.”
For others, the most important professional networks begin earlier in a career, often through mentors or moments that encourage greater risk and ambition.
 | Camilla Dell, Managing Partner at Black Brick |
“There are two moments that transformed my professional life. The first was when I was working at Foxtons. I had been there two or three years and was starting to get an ‘itch’ to move on and do bigger things. I decided to apply to ‘The Apprentice’ which back then was a serious business show! I got right down to the final few and ended up being on standby for the show.
“Being on the show wasn’t meant to be, but as a result I was promoted at Foxtons (Jon Hunt’s favourite show at the time was The Apprentice and he thought it was pretty cool that I was almost selected), and I ended up staying at Foxtons another year running their renewals and relets business.
“The second was my decision to leave The Buying Solution/Knight Frank after less than a year to set up Black Brick in January 2007. At the time it felt like I was jumping off a cliff, but deep down I knew that setting up my own firm was something I had to do and would regret for the rest of my life if I didn’t.
“I was also lucky to have an extremely supportive husband who told me at the time ‘what is the worst that can happen? If the business fails, you will always have a roof over your head and food on the table.’ Those few words gave me the confidence to do it, and I have never looked back since. Black Brick will be celebrating 20 years in January 2027.”
Relationships are also central to how international property markets operate. In destinations where lifestyle and cultural experience are integral to real estate, collaboration across sectors becomes especially important.
 | Elisa Biglia, Head of International, Great Estate |
Focussed on the Italian and International market, Elisa Biglia adds: “Here at Great Estate, relationships are at the heart of everything we do. In Italy, beautiful homes are never just about the property itself, they’re about the people, the lifestyle, and the experience that surrounds them.
“For me, embracing the principle of “Give to Gain” means sharing knowledge, making thoughtful introductions, and supporting the talented women across property, design, and hospitality who help bring these homes to life. In true Italian spirit, collaboration, warmth, and trust go a long way.
“By being generous with connections and insights, and especially by supporting each other across the sector, we help strengthen both individual careers and the wider standard of excellence our industry represents.”
How we can open the industry to the next generation
In design and architecture, mentorship is often the first gateway into the profession. Access to studios, guidance from established practitioners and exposure to real projects can determine whether emerging designers find a path into the industry.
 | Venetia Rudebeck, Co-Founder of Studio Vero |
“Romanos and I both studied at KLC, and we now mentor there because we know how valuable that early guidance is.
“We offer internships and make time for conversations with people looking for a way in. The path into this industry can feel opaque from the outside. giving back is about making it more visible and achievable.
“The more diverse and confident the next generation is, the stronger and more interesting the industry becomes.”
Saachi Mishra, Associate Director at Broadway Malyan Mumbai
The role architects can play in sharing knowledge more widely, particularly in fast-growing global cities, is also emphasised by Saachi Mishra, Associate Director at global architecture firm Broadway Malyan Mumbai, who notes: “Across the sector people often find their paths shaped by mentors, colleagues, and networks. How do you embrace the principle of ‘Give to Gain’ by sharing your knowledge, experience, or connections to support others and strengthen the sector?”
“For me, “Give to Gain” is about sharing knowledge, supporting peers, and advocating for better homes, better streets and a better built environment overall. This mindset strengthens our practice, the profession and the city we build for.
“Our studio in central Mumbai is the perfect test bed for a design process characterised by shared exploration. As the studio founder, I try to promote a culture of ambitious and open thinking; discussing design strategies from early stages with younger architects.
“I am particularly concerned with ways in which thoughtful design can improve apartment liveability within the tight constraints of a complex city. I believe the residential projects changing the face of Mumbai must give back to the city.
“Through strong street interfaces in their lower stories, including retail, F&B, and active ground planes with planting and shared space, projects become so much more than “housing”, contributing to vibrant public life rather than inward-looking enclaves.
“At a time when Mumbai’s residential market commands extraordinary prices, I believe architects must actively share knowledge around what good living should mean. efficient layouts, daylight, ventilation, privacy, and usable outdoor space.
“When buyers become more aware of spatial quality, it encourages developers to deliver better-designed homes in exchange, delivering true value for both homeowners and the wider neighbourhoods to which they belong.”
How leadership is shaped by experience
For many leaders, the willingness to support others grows from their own career turning points. Personal experiences often reshape how founders and studio heads approach leadership and mentorship.
 | Alice Molloy, Director at Alice Molloy Interiors |
Many female voices are reflecting on how becoming a parent changed both her business and their perspective as a leader. Molloy says it started at home: “A key influence for me was becoming a mother whilst running a boutique interior design studio. It turned my business upside down. As a small studio, there was no separation between me and the brand. I had to redesign both my life and my company simultaneously.
“A pivotal turning point for me was that I became more focused, more strategic and more decisive. I built stronger boundaries and smarter systems. My design work deepened, I now design homes not just to look beautiful, but to truly support family life. Motherhood didn’t diminish my leadership, it strengthened it.”
Within established studios, mentorship can also take the form of structured training and opportunities for younger designers to learn through experience.
 | Tori Young, Interior Design Creative Lead at HollandGreen |
“At HollandGreen, we place great importance on nurturing talent through a robust training programme, while recognising that learning in this industry is continuous.
We are constantly evolving, informed by our collaborations with suppliers, colleagues, craftspeople, and clients. And we also have a long-standing partnership with our local grammar school to offer work experience placements for their students each year.
“The greatest gift a senior team member can offer a junior colleague is time. time to listen, to guide, and to mentor.
“Alongside formal training, allowing colleagues the space and generosity to shadow one another is one of the most effective ways to pass on knowledge, whether through on-site experience, supplier insight, or the nuances of the design process itself.”
For leaders working across global luxury developments, fostering ambition within teams is also seen as a key part of sustaining creativity and innovation.
 | Katie Earl, Creative Director of HBA Residential |
“As Creative Director, Katie leads landmark super-prime developments worldwide, including The Delmore – the Zaha Hadid-designed condominium in Miami – as well as ultra-prime projects across London, such as The Whiteley, offering a considered perspective on the evolving high-end residential landscape.
“For me, ‘give to gain’ has always felt instinctive. When you invest genuinely in the people around you, the ambition and energy in the room grows with it. At HBA Residential, we try to create an environment where ambition is nurtured.
“That means actively supporting our team to pursue the paths that excite them, whether that’s exploring how AI is shaping the future of design or finding their own creative voice within a global studio.
“When people feel genuinely supported, the work shows it. That care finds its way into every space we design, and how those spaces feel to live in.”
Collaboration raises standards across the sector
Beyond individual careers, many leaders say that sharing knowledge and networks ultimately strengthens the wider luxury ecosystem. Collaboration between property, design and hospitality professionals can raise expectations for clients and create more meaningful experiences.
 | Eloisa Cuturi, Founder & Creative Director at Cuturi Cameto |
The designer behind The Peninsula Residences first turnkey property believes purpose and position require focus: “When I started working in high-end residential, I realised there was a real opportunity to define meaningful design through supporting local makers, crafters and artists. I call it ‘contemporary patronage’, and at its heart, it’s give to gain.
“My first thought with every project is: who is my client going to love to support?
“When clients give their resources and trust, they gain meaning, story, and a direct human connection to the things that fill their home. We can place in our clients’ hands not only unique and quality objects, but a genuine opportunity to support real people.
“We gain a richer, more soulful practice and a loyal network of collaborators. Over time, we build an intimate network of humans genuinely lifting each other up.”
 | Amanda Teale, CEO, Minerva Private Travel |
“Success is rarely achieved alone. It is built through trusted relationships, shared knowledge and the willingness to support one another. I make a conscious effort to share my experience, insights and networks, whether connecting the right people, guiding clients toward exceptional opportunities, or encouraging the next generation of talent within travel and hospitality.
“When knowledge and opportunities are shared openly, the entire sector benefits. It fosters a culture of collaboration, raises standards, and ensures that remarkable experiences and meaningful partnerships continue to evolve.”
••••
Across property, design and hospitality, the message is consistent. Talent and ambition matter, but careers in the super-prime world are often shaped by access to networks, experience and trusted guidance.
For the leaders featured here, the principle of “Give to Gain” reflects more than a theme for International Women’s Day. It is a recognition that industries built on relationships evolve when those with experience actively open doors for the next generation.
