In the dynamic realm of retail property, women are increasingly making their mark, reshaping landscapes and redefining industry standards. In this special SCN feature, we invited nine trailblazing women who are at the forefront of the property industry. From leasing to funds management, customer and asset management, these leaders exemplify resilience, creativity and expertise in their respective domains. Their journeys and experiences not only inspire but also challenge traditional narratives, paving the way for future generations…
Yvette Keatings is the Head of Wholesale Investment Management & Customer for the Retail Sector at Charter Hall. In her role, Yvette is responsible for managing nine funds totalling in excess of $8 billion on behalf of Charter Hall’s retail Wholesale investment partners. Yvette is also the Customer lead for the retail sector at Charter Hall focused on developing and maintaining strong partnerships with their major tenant customers. Since joining Charter Hall in 2011, Yvette has held various positions within the retail sector, covering property management, leasing, asset management and development and, more recently, Funds Management.
Tell us about your career path and how you got started in retail property?
I came to retail property probably a little later than most. I’d been living in Scotland for almost eight years and was working in digital television, firstly for BSkyB (now Sky UK) and then as a client manager for a smaller digital television platform. I decided to come back to Australia but the digital television market here at that time was in its infancy, so jobs in that industry were hard to come by. A very close friend of mine was working at Westfield at the time and said she thought my skills were transferable into property management. A lot of what I was doing was relationship management and that’s something that’s an absolutely crucial skill in property. She set up an interview for me and I started with Westfield shortly after.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Coming into the industry late was definitely a big challenge. I knew nothing about the ins and outs of running a shopping centre so had to learn fast and not be afraid to ask dumb questions because I was starting from zero.
Bass Hill Plaza, NSW
What is most memorable/unique about your career to date?
During the course of my career, I’ve had quite a varied path and had exposure to almost all the disciplines within retail, from property management and leasing through to asset management and development and now Funds Management. Working across so many areas of the business has given me a well-rounded view of the retail sector from the bottom up and top down. What’s unique is that the majority of these roles have been at Charter Hall and, while I’ve been with the company for a long time, it doesn’t feel like that as I’ve been given the opportunity to change roles and gain a wide range of skills. Providing opportunities for people to move around the company and try different things is something that they do really well.
Who is someone who has inspired you?
I think I’ve been really fortunate in my career to be exposed to and receive mentorship from a number of seriously impressive women. I’m lucky enough to call many of them friends. The first of many was my boss at BSkyB. We were responsible for making sure the billings were accurate and reconciled for Sky’s millions of subscribers. She taught me that the devil is in the detail. It’s a lesson that holds true in every position I’ve held since.
What makes a good leader?
Being a good listener is the number one skill for being a good leader. This extends to both good and bad times. Information is power, so the more of it you can gather by listening will mean in the good times you’ll find the opportunities quicker and, in the bad, the solution or the right information to keep calm and carry on.
What motivates you to keep going?
The people around me both personally and professionally. One of the most important things in life is the quality and strength of the relationships that you build with those around you. Working on and investing in partnerships is something I do every day in my role at Charter Hall.
Eastgate, NSW
What are your top tips for the next generation of female leaders?
If you want to get into property, even if the role doesn’t sound like the perfect fit or you think I’m not sure I’ve got all the skills to do that – just go for it! You don’t know where it will lead.
How do you expect the workplace to change over the next five years to encourage more women into work?
There has already been a shift in social expectations around gender equity and how that plays out with shared caring responsibilities and representation in the workforce. Organisations and governments are responding to this with policy and legislative changes to even out the playing field. All of these things will most certainly create a very welcome positive shift in women’s participation in the workplace over time.
What excites you about the future of our industry?
Australia’s going through a period of much higher-than-average population growth. That coupled with a lower supply of retail compared to the rest of the world and a very subdued retail construction pipeline means our existing retail assets are going to be the beneficiaries. This is good news for our tenant customers and existing investors but also means that retail is an attractive investment proposition for new investors.
Are there any goals (personal or professional) you’re currently working on?
I’ll be doing the Company Directors Course later in the year. I’ve heard great things about it and that it gives you terrific insight into how Board Directors think and make choices.
This exclusive SCN feature is shared with the industry with thanks to Redpath Partners
Premium members can view the full feature in the latest edition of SCN magazine
