BPF Futures Blog: Holly Thomas MRICS
Holly Thomas is an Associate at JLL. She recently joined the BPF Development Committee as one of the committee’s new BPF Futures members. We asked Holly to share her experiences.
Tell us a little about your role at JLL.
I’ve been at JLL for nearly 6 years. I’m currently an Associate within JLL's Development and Regeneration South Team, based in the Bristol office.
My career has focused primarily on development. My work involves assisting both public and private sector clients to navigate planning and development challenges and unlock successful project delivery.
Recently, my role has been expanded and I now also work with several universities on their estates and residences strategies.
What is BPF Futures?
BPF Futures is a network that brings together and supports professionals who are in the early stages of their careers within the real estate industry. The aim of the network is to inspire, educate and empower its members to become future leaders in the sector.
Why did you join BPF Futures?
BPF Futures organise a wide range of events, workshops and networking opportunities which are great for improving your knowledge of the sector and building relationships across the industry. I think by providing a platform for young professionals to engage both with their peers and with industry experts, BPF Futures can play a really important role in helping you develop your skills, gain a broader understanding of the real estate market and establish valuable connections that can propel your career forward.
So how have you joined the BPF Development Committee?
BPF want to involve BPF Futures members in all of its activities. As part of this, the organisation has started to open up places on its key policy committees, like the Development Committee, to BPF Futures members. The aim is to support young professionals’ development and ensure that the voices and experiences of the next generation of property leaders are reflected in the BPF’s policy work.
I saw an application, applied, and the rest as they say is history!
What is the BPF Development Committee?
The Development Committee is made up of investors, developers, property companies, consultants and real estate advisers. The work of the Committee spans a wide range of development and regeneration issues, including the sharing and promoting of best practice in public private partnerships. As with all BPF Committees, the Development Committee shapes the BPF’s policy and advocacy work.
There is more information on the here.
How have you found being a committee member so far?
I’ve really enjoyed it. We’ve only had a couple of meetings so far but the discussions have already covered a wide range of topics.
Given my background and experience, I’ve a particular interest in public private partnerships (PPP) and in the BPF’s work in this area.
The BPF is currently running a pilot project to support a small number of local authorities with their early-stage development and regeneration plans, and to peer review their PPP strategy. As a member of the committee, I will be closely monitoring the progress of this pilot and am excited to see how it evolves in supporting the successful creation and execution of future public private partnerships.
I would suggest to any BPF Futures member out there, if you get a chance to join one of the BPF’s policy committees, take it!
