Championing Underrepresented Talent: Insights from the 10,000 Interns Foundation Programme

As part of T 10,000 Interns Foundation initiative, we had the privilege of participating in a programme that is making a real difference by providing opportunities to young professionals from underrepresented backgrounds. At Derwent London, we’re proud to support this initiative, giving participants a deep dive into the world of property. In this article, we're sharing reflections from our interns as well as their buddies and mentors from the six-week programme, highlighting the impact it has had on everyone involved.

The Interns' Journey

Our interns had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the property industry. Here’s what they had to say about their experiences.

How did you find your summer internship?

• Chike Igwilo : I found the summer internship extremely informative, providing me with valuable knowledge for my future career in Real Estate. Everyone at Derwent has been really accommodating, helping thoroughly with my development.
• Ireti Thomas : I found it to be both fun and insightful. I began my rotation in the Leasing team, moved on to Development, and concluded in Property Management. This structure gave me a comprehensive insight into three key teams within the business, each offering a unique perspective on how the company operates. Additionally, I had the pleasure of meeting some incredible people who I will definitely be staying in contact with, further enriching my experience.
• Zoe Echanah : It was an incredibly insightful and transformative experience. Over the course of six weeks, I was introduced to an entirely new world of commercial property. Each day brought different challenges and learning opportunities, making the experience both eventful and dynamic. The diversity in daily tasks and meetings kept me engaged and constantly learning, and I appreciated the chance to see how theory is applied in real-world scenarios. Overall, it was a rewarding experience that deepened my understanding of the industry and fuelled my passion for this field.

What is your biggest takeaway from your experience?

• Chike Igwilo: My biggest takeaway would have to be having the opportunity to watch and observe work from the client's perspective. Sitting in meetings with various external advisors has also shown me how important teamwork and a cohesive work environment is in contributing to a successful project.
• Iréti Thomas: The importance of always asking questions and staying inquisitive. Coming into the internship, I didn’t realise just how much real estate jargon there is, and how essential it is to fully understand the terminology to grasp the bigger picture. I was fortunate to be in an environment that encouraged learning and provided an open space to ask questions. This made a huge difference in my ability to absorb information and contribute meaningfully.
• Zoe Echanah: For me it would be the value of building strong relationships and recognising that success is a collaborative effort. Throughout my time, I realised that achieving goals isn’t something you do in isolation; it requires teamwork, communication, and understanding others’ perspectives. My natural curiosity was encouraged, which helped me forge meaningful connections and grow both professionally and personally. It taught me the value of asking questions and being open to continuous learning.

Has there been anything unexpected you have learnt?

• Chike Igwilo: Out of the many important things that I have learnt, the most unexpected is learning how cranes get taller (they literally build themselves up!).
• Iréti Thomas: I was unexpected to discover just how much pre-planning goes into each building. For instance, while working with the Development team, I discovered that 1 Soho Place had been in discussion since 2003/4 and was only completed in 2021. This experience highlighted the level of forward-thinking required in the industry. I also learned about innovative features in buildings like the White Collar Factory, which has a concrete core cooling system to regulate internal temperatures.
• Zoe Echanah: An unexpected lesson was the significant role that risk management plays in commercial real estate, especially in a prime market like central London. I hadn’t fully appreciated how much market changes can impact property values, tenant stability, and overall investment decisions. Whether it's economic fluctuations, changes in local regulations, or even shifts in market demand, the ability to anticipate and mitigate these risks is crucial. This experience highlighted the importance of being proactive and resilient in this industry.

Buddy and Mentor Reflections

We structured our support for the interns by pairing them with both a buddy and a mentor. Each role served a distinct purpose:

• Buddies were there to offer informal support, providing a safe space to ask questions and build confidence in a no-pressure environment.
• Mentors focused on a more structured engagement, using the opportunity to both guide the interns and learn from their fresh perspectives and experiences.

Here’s what our buddies and mentors had to say about their roles and experiences.

Tom Wade , Investment Manager (Chike’s buddy):

Having been involved in the intern selection process, it was great to see the successful candidates again, having got to know them during the selection period. I particularly looked forward to buddying up with Chike, given his specific interest in property investment and his background in Classical Studies. I focused on helping Chike settle in and navigate the practical aspects of the internship. The experience also deepened my understanding, as he often challenged me to explain concepts in a clear and accessible way, avoiding jargon.

Lesley Bufton, Head of Marketing (Chike’s mentor):

A lot of effort was put into ensuring the interns had the best experience possible. I enjoyed being part of the selection process and meeting so many inspirational young people starting out in their careers. It’s important that all departments are encouraged to fully engage with the interns and be prepared to spend time explaining our roles and strategies. I was particularly impressed with Chike’s outlook on life and his career path, and I’m confident he will be successful in both.

Amy Hulbert, Trainee Company Secretary (Iréti’s buddy):

The programme was a great opportunity to share our everyday work life with a group of enthusiastic young people. As Iréti’s buddy, it was a privilege to listen to her achievements to date and her career aspirations moving forward, as well as provide insight from my own experiences and career path. My biggest takeaway is that we can all learn from each other, no matter what stage we are in our careers. The role of a buddy or mentor is invaluable for everyone involved.

Vasiliki Arvaniti, Head of Asset Management (Iréti’s mentor):

It was refreshing to have the interns join the business and be part of the team. Their thoughts, questions and observations were very interesting and thought provoking. As Ireti’s mentor, I had the chance to ask her many questions and gauge her perspective of the industry, workplace, recruitment and training experiences, and expectations for new / younger recruits. I have no doubt they will all do great things and hopefully will keep in touch.

Matt Massey, Head of Project Management (Zoe's buddy):

I found the programme to be a valuable learning experience. I was particularly intrigued by some of Zoe’s planning questions, and she quickly she applied her knowledge to our business scenarios. I tried to focus my time with Zoe answering her business questions and helping her connect with the Derwent team. I would encourage all our interns to keep in touch with their Derwent contacts so they have long-term resources to lean on.

Caroline Stewart, Senior Development Manager (Zoe’s mentor):

The programme has been really successful, and the interns have provided some great input into the business. It was refreshing to hear new and innovative ideas on how we can improve as a business, and to consider different perspectives on how we might do things differently. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the buddy sessions, but I came away with some really interesting takeaways, which showed me the benefit of collaboration and the diversity of experience.

The 10,000 Interns Foundation programme has been a rewarding experience for everyone involved. We hope it has provided our interns with practical knowledge and industry insights while also giving our mentors and buddies, and the wider company, the opportunity to learn from fresh perspectives.

Supporting initiatives like this is crucial for fostering the next generation of leaders in our industry.