Inspiring women stars of the industry: Kim Lidbury

Kim has been in the property industry for 24 years, starting her career as a property manager, with a short move across to branch manager, but then back to her ‘true calling’ of property management, working her way up the career ladder to regional manager, regional director, director of the south, moving to running the entire property management offering within her previous role.

“I am now just coming up to five years in my journey with LRG as Group Director of Property Management,” she says.

What do you love most about the industry?

“The people and the speed of the industry. The people make our industry what it is – my team, colleagues, and the customers, without them we wouldn’t have an industry to succeed in as we do. Property Management is an ever-changing industry which means no two days are the same.”

And what do you dislike?

“Speed of the industry. While its is my favourite thing as it is ever-changing and ever-evolving into a bigger and better industry, the changes within the industry can impact customers both positively and negatively.

“Ensuring that your communication with customers is robust when the industry changes and making sure you are providing them with a strong advice-led service can be really difficult.

“You want to get it right and sometimes, specifically around legislation changes you may not always have the full facts when a proposal of a legislation is first announced, or even sometimes when an Act of Parliament is finalised.  I find that difficult when I am trying to support the people around me.”

What would be your advice to others making their way up?

“Never aim for perfection because perfection is never attainable; aim for exceptional because you can always do your best in everything you do, and exceptional is more achievable.”

What do you wish you knew then that you know now?

“Sometimes doing property management may feel like a thankless task.

“Whle people may not say thank you and can sometimes come across as frustrated, they key thing is remembering what you are dealing with – looking after someone’s home –  this can be and is a very emotive subject.

“I think I would have told my younger self: this role is not about looking for praise, this role is knowing you are always doing the best for the people around you.

“The role is tough and people’s frustration may be evident, but its not about you, its about the situation. Keep going as when all is said and done and you have succeeded in doing the above, it is all worth it.”

The interview with Kim is part of an LRG project to talk to women across its diverse subsidiaries including estate agency, mortgage services, insurance services, property management.