Ep 102 - Tom Redmayne, MD & Head of Europe at Industrious
Apr 17, 2024
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Tom Redmayne, MD & Head of Europe at Industrious, shares his career journey from real estate to proptech. He discusses the importance of embracing technology in real estate, navigating career pivots, and the challenges of building a flex business. Tom's story highlights the intersection of real estate and technology, with valuable insights for professionals in the industry.
Transitioning from academia to the professional world is challenging, requiring adaptation to corporate structures and expectations.
Integration of technology with real estate can spark new opportunities, emphasizing the need to stay competitive.
Seeking mentors, hiring talented individuals, and practicing kindness are essential for career growth and leadership success.
Deep dives
Tom's Background and Early Inspiration
Tom Redmaine, who is the Managing Director and Head of Europe for Industrious, shares his journey from growing up in London to his current role. He highlights the impact of his family, especially his mother, who instilled in him the importance of trying things and learning from failures. Tom's passion for real estate was ignited during university internships, leading him to a career in the industry.
Challenges Faced in Early Career Years
Tom discusses the challenging transition from academia to the working environment, emphasizing the difficulty many young professionals face in adjusting to corporate hierarchies and expectations. He shares personal struggles, including a serious injury early in his career, shedding light on the need for more supportive structures within companies to foster junior talent effectively.
Transition Into Technology and Real Estate Integration
Tom's interest in technology intersected with his real estate career, especially influenced by meeting Juliet Morgan, a tech leader at Cushman's. The integration of technology and real estate opened up new perspectives for Tom, emphasizing the importance of staying competitive by embracing tech advancements in the industry.
Expansion and Leadership Challenges at Industrious
Tom's move to Industrious as Head of Europe signifies a significant career shift, focusing on growing the flex operator brand across the continent. Emphasizing the need for impactful workplace experiences, Tom underlines a strategic approach to partnering with landlords and scaling the business successfully.
Key Lessons Learned and Career Principles
Reflecting on his career, Tom shares valuable lessons, including the significance of seeking mentors and working with talented individuals, hiring people better than oneself to foster growth, and practicing kindness over mere niceness in leadership. These principles have guided him through his career trajectory.
Future Endeavors and Continuing Growth
Tom's journey at Industrious indicates a promising future as he navigates the challenges in the flex industry. His strategic vision, coupled with a focus on workplace experience, positions him for success in expanding the brand and driving innovation within the real estate sector.
This evening, I am joined by Tom Redmayne, Managing Director & Head of Europe at Industrious. Industrious began its journey as a co-working, flex office operator in 2013 opening its doors in Chicago and today it has 160 locations globally. Whilst flex is very much a fresh concept in real estate, it is almost a homecoming for Tom to return to real assets after leaving Cushmans in 2015 he joined one of the pioneers of the proptech boom Wired Score spending 8 years with the business in the UK, Ireland and New York.
We explore his remarkable journey through the real estate and technology sectors. From the initial steps out of university into uncertain territories to leading roles at WiredScore and now Industrious, Tom shares invaluable insights into navigating career pivots, embracing technology in real estate, and the pivotal moments that have shaped his career trajectory.
"Honestly, they (early years in the real estate market) were a bit of a disaster." A candid revelation of the initial setbacks and the steep learning curb in the transition from academics to professional life. - "I've always been fascinated by technology... But it wasn't actually until I met a lady called Juliette Morgan... that I really realized how real estate and technology could interact." Highlighting the lightbulb moment that propelled him into the intersection of real estate and technology.
Tom's narrative is not just a roadmap for burgeoning professionals in real estate and tech but also a testament to the dynamism of the professional landscape, emphasising adaptability, continuous learning, and the importance of mentorship. Join us as we unravel the lessons from Tom Redmayne's journey — insights that resonate far beyond the thresholds of real estate, echoing in the realms of entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth.