Celebrating International Women's Day

This International Women's Day, we are recognising some of our successful women across the business. With women making up 56% of our workforce, our diversity as a Group has shaped us to be the company that we are today.

These women have embarked on their own career journeys and their advice is truly invaluable. Take a look at some of their insights below.

Sally Playfoot - Sales Branch Director, West Putney Sally Playfoot 2.jpeg

What advice would you give to someone who has just started their career at KFH?

Keeping positive, make sure you create connections across the business and look at the long term.

Who are your business role models?

This has to be Lisa MacKenzie (South West Sales Director) for the support she has given me both professionally and personally, which has driven me to succeed as a woman in business.

What three words define your career journey?

Determination, integrity and passion.

What does empowerment mean to you?

Having the knowledge and skills to succeed and overcome any challenges.

What moment stands out when you have been well supported in your career?

There have been so many moments but two have really stood out. The first was when I came back from maternity leave, into a manager role in West Putney. The second was when I came back to London after seven years of living abroad. KFH welcomed me back and supported me to continue my career journey.

Dejarna Lewis - Lettings Branch Coordinator, Peckham Rye 

What advice would you give to someone who has just started their career at KFH?

Getting to know the company and its various divisions will allow you to build strong working relationships with your colleagues. Having a team of like-minded individuals will also help you achieve success. One of the most important steps in building a strong working relationship with your colleagues is to be willing to take on new tasks. If you're not afraid to take on a new challenge, then don't hesitate to do so. It's the only way that will allow you to think outside of the box and improve yourself.

Who are your business role models? 

I am fortunate to have many amazing women around me who inspire me every day. From my colleagues to my friends, they motivate me to be the best version of myself. Maya Jama (television presenter and radio DJ) is also someone I admire. She showcases that you can achieve anything you want if you just go for it. She is very down to earth as well, which makes her very relatable to many young women wanting to achieve their dreams.

What three words define your career journey?

Challenging, rewarding and enjoyable.

What does empowerment mean to you? 

Being empowered means that I believe in myself, and I am capable of doing anything. It also means having the necessary resources to reach my goals.

What moment stands out when you have been well supported in your career? 

I receive support from my colleagues every day, whether it be work related or personal. I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by the most supportive and caring team at KFH. I feel like I can always ask for advice and speak freely. Having such a great team makes being at work enjoyable and productive.

Alice Moss - Talent Acquisition Manager 

What advice would you give to someone who has just started their career at KFH?

Network, network, network. We are so fortunate that at KFH we have 10 business divisions, and even more departments, there is always someone to talk to and learn from. I have been fortunate over my time here to work in three areas of the business, and therefore network with lots of different people. People really are our business. I have grown so much professionally and personally because of the diversity of talent at KFH.

Who are your business role models?

There are so many women who inspire and motivate me - both at KFH and beyond. Working women with children especially inspire me, navigating the world of business whilst having huge responsibilities at home is a big juggle. Being a parent doesn't end when you step into work

What three words define your career journey?

(Consistently) squiggly, developing and proud.

What does empowerment mean to you?

The feeling that you can do it. But I know we can't always do it on our own. The support, encouragement and belief from others, empower us to achieve realistic goals and wild dreams.

What moment stands out when you have been well supported in your career?

At the moment, it's all the time. For me, support comes in many ways. It can be to drive forward and take on the next challenge or be supported through a difficult situation, or bad day. I feel very fortunate that working with my talent acquisition team, and wider people teams, I am supported every day.

This year's IWD theme is "Embrace Equity. How can we all embrace equity?

I believe that we can all make tailored adjustments to suit individual needs to help reduce boundaries - whether this is around gender, race, disability etc. We need to shift our mindset from equal opportunities for all to equity for all. We're not all the same, or starting from the same place, therefore we have different requirements to access opportunities inside and outside of the workplace.

Yasmin Ffrench-Shand - Regional Administration Manager 

What advice would you give to someone who has just started their career at KFH?

It can be daunting starting a new job but don't be afraid to ask questions. There is no such thing as a silly question. If you're thinking about it, the likelihood is that others are too. Be brave enough to speak out. It will not only help with your confidence but could also encourage others to do the same.

What three words define your career journey?

Resilient, committed and diligent.

What does empowerment mean to you?

Being confident and in control with a positive attitude.

What moment stands out when you have been well supported in your career?

When returning from maternity leave after having my first child, I was offered the role of a Senior Administrator, working closely with Sales Director, Lisa Mackenzie. I remember feeling very anxious about not only returning to work, but returning to a new position and having a healthy work life balance. I almost turned the position down. Lisa met with me and spoke to me about the role and her experiences as a working mum, which put me at ease. After a bit more convincing, I returned to my new role, which quickly led to a promotion to my current role as a Regional Administration Manager. I'm very grateful for their encouragement and continued support.

Shikha Shrestha - Senior Property Management, Lettings Property Manager 

What advice would you give to someone who has just started their career at KFH? 

Take advantage of the training and learn as much as you can. Make sure you enjoy the role and ask questions when needed to get to know the business. Where possible, learn from others and try to get a mentor within the business. 

What three words define your career journey? 

Challenging, progressive and collaborative. 

What does empowerment mean to you?

Training, confidence and rewarding.

What moment stands out when you have been well supported in your career?

Receiving positive feedback from my managers when sharing ideas and vision for the company.

Sharon Seale - Operations Manager, Financial Service

What advice would you give to someone who has just started their career at KFH?

Let your work and your performance speak for themselves.  If you always strive to deliver an exceptional customer experience, everything else will take care of itself. 

What three words define your career journey?

Fun, evolution and longevity.

What does empowerment mean to you?

Being encouraged to be myself, to be the best version of myself that I can be….even if I don't fit somebody else's perception or expectation.

What moment stands out when you have been well supported in your career?

When my father passed away, I felt that KFH was very supportive, and I didn't feel any pressure.  I was able to deal with my own grief and support my mum, without worrying about work, which not all companies offer.

Roschany Edmund - Application Support Analyst, Technology 

What advice would you give to someone who has just started their career at KFH?

Never stop learning and ask questions. KFH offers you a lot of opportunities and advanced training, so make the most of it. You will also meet incredible individuals who are always happy to help.

What three words define your career journey?
Consistency, determination and successful.
 

What does empowerment mean to you?
Being strong and confident in yourself to achieve your goals.
 

What moment stands out when you have been well supported in your career?
The support I received from my managers and colleagues during my transition from the helpdesk team to the IT Operations team, was incredible.