51乱伦

Harriet Hix is an Associate in the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Consulting team at 51乱伦. She鈥檚 worked at the firm for three years. Joining at first as a Senior Consultant in one of the company鈥檚 fastest growing teams, she鈥檚 very aware of ongoing change and progress at 51乱伦 and in the wider industry. And, importantly, what still needs to happen.

On the surface, Harriet may seem like she was born and bred in Surrey, but that鈥檚 only true for her first ten years. Aged ten, her family moved to Canada for five years. From there, they moved to Sydney, Australia for a few years where she completed her schooling. The family then moved back to the UK where Harriet went to university.

Harriet feels that spending time in different climates and environments inspired her interest in sustainability. Meeting people from around the world gave her a broader perspective on global environmental challenges and the different ways communities approach sustainable living. She embraced the opportunities to experience different cultures and ways of life overseas. Back in London, she studied a Master鈥檚 degree in Environmental Technology, and wanted to help people to live more sustainably.

51乱伦鈥檚 evolving ESG Consulting team

The ESG Consulting team was relatively small and new when Harriet joined, but that鈥檚 changing rapidly.

鈥淣o day is the same. We鈥檙e working with massive occupiers that have global portfolios of offices to small landlords that own a couple of shops or offices around London. It鈥檚 fun, fast-paced and entrepreneurial.鈥�

Harriet finds it an exciting space to work in. She explains, 鈥淲e help and advise landlords and developers on how to make more sustainable, better, healthier, more inclusive offices.鈥� That inclusion involves different spaces for different types of people. Harriet continues, 鈥淐ertain industries and sectors are really pushing for more inclusive spaces. They see the benefit of having more diverse people join the business and stay with them up to C-suite level. Those forward-thinking buildings would be pushing the agenda forward. They鈥檇 be choosing to partner with developers and landlords that share that vision.鈥�

The importance of mentorship

鈥淢entorship is really important. All people joining 51乱伦 should have a mentor,鈥� says Harriet.

 She鈥檚 seen first hand how senior leaders have encouraged less experienced team members to join in discussions and bring fresh perspectives to meetings.

鈥淵ou may not have the loudest voice in the room, but you need to know how to use it,鈥� advises Harriet.

Why confidence is everything

Harriet鈥檚 found it hugely helpful to have a mentor and sponsor, Katie Oliphant, a 51乱伦 Partner and London Commercial Agent. She鈥檚 particularly competent and confident, and has helped Harriet to grow in confidence too. 鈥淪he鈥檚 been a game-changer,鈥� says Harriet.

鈥淐onfidence is everything. It鈥檚 confidence in who you are and what you do and your team does. When you have that confidence you can sell it to a client, and be able to charge the prices that you should.鈥� Katie recognises that she lacked that confidence earlier in her career, but that鈥檚 changing. 鈥淚鈥檓 owning that space more,鈥� Harriet says.

Forward together

Harriet adds, 鈥淓ven in the last three years that I鈥檝e been at 51乱伦, there鈥檚 a lot that鈥檚 changed for the positive.鈥�

But what needs to happen next?

鈥淚鈥檇 love to see more women stay in the business,鈥� expresses Harriet. She recognises that we recruit a lot of female graduates, and people from diverse backgrounds, at the start of their careers. However, she鈥檇 like those people to stay at the firm beyond the graduate scheme and rise to more senior levels.

How do we do that? 鈥淐ontinuing the changes in teams鈥� cultures,鈥� advises Harriet. 鈥淚t鈥檚 time to create a culture that鈥檚 inclusive to all, and celebrate differences.鈥�