Penny Hacking

Meet Penny Hacking

What is your role at Avison Young?

Principal - European Capital Markets. I lead the European capital markets, working with all our local country teams advising on sales and acquisitions for our global clients.

How did you get into commercial real estate?

My family are farmers, and I was brought up on the working farm, so land and making land work has always been part of my make up. My father's friends were chartered surveyors and one in particular recommended I look into it as a career. I took his advice, did lots of work experience and studied estate management as a degree. The rest is history as they say!

Who has been the most influential woman in your life?

One of my oldest school friends called Caroline Flannagan. She has smashed every ceiling possible having had every obstacle put in her way. Please look her up on LinkedIn and read her books, How to Babyproof Your Career and her new book, Be the First - they are truly inspiring and provide amazing advice for us all.

What advice would you give women starting out in real estate?

Find one or two mentors, both male or female who can advise and help guide you through the real estate business. Frequent feedback and recognition from a mentor will boost confidence and help advance your career ambitions. Also, women are the worst at self-advocacy, but we seem to be the best at being able to advocate for others! In general, we are less outspoken about our ambitions in our organisations. Unless we express our ambitions, leaders will be unaware of them. My mentors have helped me to make sure I keep raising my hand, get off the bench and do things which are often out of our comfort areas to better express myself.

This year's IWD theme is Choose to Challenge. What do you choose to challenge or celebrate to help create more inclusion in your community?

Every man in this industry has a female relative or friend. We need their help to talk about what they do, help others understand there are so many opportunities out there open to them. Help us to share that being a chartered surveyor is an open flexible and diverse career, as well as it gives you the best opportunity of driving the future world you want to live in by being part and having a say in our built environment.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I am very shy and hate presenting even at my age!

What women’s organizations would you recommend other women get involved with?

WIRE and real estate balance.