Graduate Spotlight

Website Editor • Mar 12, 2019

Robin Didier speaks to Henley Business School

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Graduate Spotlight: Robin Didier

For our first Graduate Spotlight feature, we caught up with Robin Didier, who has recently been named as one of EG’s Future Leaders.


Robin Didier

Congratulations on being named as a Future Leader! Can you tell us more about it?


The programme is run by EG and was designed to showcase the next generation of industry leaders, especially those from underrepresented groups. We will be challenged on a unique communication training programme to build our presenting and leadership skills. I have always shied away from presenting and now I have to do it in front of 500 people! It’s a huge honour to be selected and given that I’ve always craved to see someone like myself within the industry, it’ll be great to provide that visibility for someone else.


Can you tell us a little about your current role and company? What do you enjoy most about the job?


I am a Junior Asset Manager at Ellandi, who manage a vast selection of both public and privately owned retail assets. We are committed to driving forward sustainability and inclusivity within the communities we serve, and for me, to be able to say that I am closely aligned with the company ethos is a major bonus. The breadth of my role is the most fun and the most challenging – every day there is something new to learn and a new story to bring back home.


Why did you choose REP and Henley Business School?


There were two things that drew me in: the amazing greenery and gardens on campus as well as the reputation of the REP department. If you are going to do something, why not go to the best school for it? Another huge selling point was when I came for the open day and went shopping in town afterwards, there are so many great stores! Now I think about it, it’s safe to say I’m in the right job.


How do you think your time in REP set you up for your current role?


Final year was really career defining for me – your chosen pathway is really important and should match your interests and skillsets. Professor Sarah Sayce and Dr Steven Devaney both ran engaging and thoughtful projects in property valuation and asset management strategies. The optional modules also give you the opportunity to match your interests and gives you something to talk about at interviews. I did a module on social enterprises and not only was the lecturer one of the best I’ve ever listened to, but the group project was super fun to work on.


Any standout lessons you learnt over your time here?


Jane [Batchelor, Career Consultant] put together an exercise to identify what motivates you professionally and where you want to see yourself in five years. Whenever I’m trying to sell myself, I always remember those pillars that I identified that day. The essay portion is also really useful to look back on and use as a reference in your applications or just as a general check-in on your progress. There might be other work due, but really put some effort into those careers lectures.


What would your advice be for prospective undergrads be?


Don’t get distracted by other people’s journeys – you’ll see a lot of people looking like they’re studying super hard, getting internships, and getting top grades, but your journey is the only thing that should matter to you. Your grades do matter, but for instance, instead of getting work placements, I started my own business (it failed) and worked part-time. Most employers are not looking for someone who knows it all, but rather someone who is independent and forges their own path. Be different.


What would your advice for graduate jobseekers be?


I would remember these few points:


Do some soul searching to find out what motivates you, your strengths and your weaknesses. Use those to sell yourself.

Never spam apply – put energy into tailoring yourself to the job description and the company, including the culture. You’re more likely to get in if it’s clear that you want it.

Be yourself, there is so much value in your own story.

What is next for you – what are you excited about happening next?


I work internally on our Vision board, which is all about sustainability and Diversity and Inclusion. I have already been in touch with some amazing organisations and I am really excited about developing a work placement programme targeted at marginalised groups and engaging in more events. I also sit on the ULI’s Diversity and Inclusion committee tackling industry-wide issues. Alongside that, I have so much learning and growing to do within my day-to-day role – and it’s only going to get better once we return to normality.


Thank you for taking the time to speak with us Robin, and for being our first Graduate Spotlight.


Find out more about Robin and his journey from REP student to Junior Asset Manager and EG Future Leader.

Ellandi helps deliver Healthy Living Centre in Chatham

Ellandi helps deliver Healthy Living Centre in Chatham

15 Aug, 2024
Works have commenced on a £15 million healthy living centre at The Pentagon Shopping Centre in Chatham. Strategic asset and development manager, Ellandi is working with Medway Council to reinvigorate the shopping centre as part of the council’s wider regeneration plan. In repurposing the redundant retail space in the centre, Ellandi’s analysis showed, that not only were more civic uses needed to address health inequality and crime, but they would also bring an extra million visitors to the centre each year. The shift to civic occupiers would create a more robust mix of occupiers with strong covenants and keep local public sector spending within the borough. Ellandi used evidenced-backed business cases to approach public sector occupiers and show the positive impact a central location would have on their operations: interest began as smaller units grew to much larger anchor space. In 2019 Medway Council acquired their local shopping centre as a pivotal piece in their wider regeneration plan. Three years on The Pentagon is midway into a multi-use civic hub that delivers value for both its community and the council. The regeneration that has taken place will lead to better health and social outcomes for Chatham and will create a stable source of income to fund wider regeneration. Plans include redeveloping the council-acquired office building that sits above the centre to residential accommodation, improving parking and creating ‘pocket parks’ throughout the public realm. NHS Kent and Medway, and Medway Council have worked in partnership to develop proposals to bring it to the Pentagon Centre and create a hub for patients to access a greater range of services, more quickly and conveniently. Brooke Tahau, Director of Development at Ellandi, said: “The development of the James Williams Healthy Living Centre is a great testament to our dedication to enhancing Retail Plus Health. There is a growing imperative to bring healthcare back to the community, and this centre embodies our commitment to providing accessible, comprehensive care in the heart of centres. By working together with the NHS and Medway Council, we are excited to create a space that not only meets the immediate needs of residents but also adapts to future healthcare demands.”) Medway Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder of Public Health Teresa Murray said: “We are delighted that we are one step closer to opening a first-class health facility in Chatham town centre, providing quality care in an easy-to-access location. “I am honoured to confirm that the new centre is being named after our late Director of Public Health, James Williams. James was an inspirational figure and huge driving force behind improving health outcomes across Medway, as well as addressing health inequalities across the South East. “The James Williams Healthy Living Centre will stand as a fitting tribute to his work and aspirations and is a big step towards helping to reduce health inequality and improving the health and wellbeing of residents in Medway. I look forward to seeing this exciting project start to take shape over the next year.” Paul Bentley, NHS Kent and Medway Chief Executive, said: “This is outstanding news for the people we serve in the Chatham area. We know more needs to be done in parts of Medway to help improve people’s health and wellbeing and this healthy living centre will help people access the right care, in the right place. “With good transport links and a central location, the centre will also have room to expand over time to offer more services for local people meaning we can join up services, to provide care around people’s individual needs.” Medway Council has appointed Ellandi as development manager to lead the team; contractor partn er Bauvill; architecture firm LSI Architects ; and Structural and MEP consultants Ingleton Wood and Black Cat Building Consultancy as project managers.
Victoria Holloway is part of The Revo's 24 judging panel

Judging for The Revo's

31 Jul, 2024
Our Marketing Director, Victoria Holloway will be one of the judges for The Revo’s this year. Victoria is a senior marketing and communications professional with extensive experience in destination marketing. She has managed high-profile mixed-use development projects across various sectors and will be a good addition to the judging panellists for these coveted awards. They recognise and reward the best of the best in the built environment from asset management to customer experience, operations to destination marketing. At its core, The Revo’s is all about celebrating excellence.

NewRiver REIT acquires Ellandi

05 Jul, 2024
NewRiver REIT has acquired Ellandi for an initial cash consideration of £5 million. This acquisition will incorporate our 16 shopping centre asset management mandates, spanning over 6.3 million sq ft and 10 different partners , into NewRiver’s portfolio. Consequently, NewRiver’s combined capital partnership business will now manage £1.5 billion in assets across a portfolio of 21 shopping centres and 18 retail parks. Allan Lockhart, chief executive of NewRiver, said: “We believe there will be considerable opportunities in the retail real estate market to accelerate the growth of our business from this point. By bringing together two high-quality teams with complementary skills and experience in asset management and regeneration, together with the balance sheet resources we have available, we are well positioned to participate in these opportunities, both on the balance sheet and through capital partnerships.” Our two co-founders and owners, Morgan Garfield and Mark Robinson, will join NewRiver as head of capital partnerships and head of regeneration respectively. They will also join the executive committee. Mark Robinson says: “Morgan and I are extremely proud of what the team at Ellandi have achieved to date in delivering sustainable change to the UK’s retail places and believe this transaction creates an exciting opportunity to combine two market leading retail asset management businesses with shared growth ambitions.”
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