Liza Jane Kelly Head of Residential Sales, Savills

Liza Jane Kelly

Head of Residential Sales, Savills

Tell us about your career journey so far – was there a defining moment or decision that set you on this path?

I always wanted to work in property and was determined to get into the industry as soon as I could – there was never a ‘Plan B’. From a young age I was fascinated by where we live and why, and I thought that working in a job where you help people find their new home would be both exciting and rewarding.

I began agency life in Dublin, before moving to London to progress my career. I have worked in the London property market for over 25 years, working my way up the career ladder from negotiator to my role today leading the London residential business at Savills. Property is all I’ve ever known and all I have ever done, and it has been a thoroughly rewarding path to take. Throughout my career I have always tried to adopt a positive mindset and seek out opportunities to learn – whether from colleagues, others around me, or from life’s rich tapestry of experiences.

Stepping outside your comfort zone can require courage, but I have found that in making that step, you learn the most, grow your confidence and find the greatest rewards.

What unique strengths or opportunities do you think women bring to business?

Effective leadership starts with empathy, a genuine passion for your work, a love for the industry you’re in, and a commitment to truly listening to your teams. I regularly visit our offices across London which provides valuable local insights and a proper understanding of the challenges they face. I am a big believer in spending time with the teams I work with and being present – the human side of leadership is something I greatly value and I’ve always felt it is so important to be with people as much as possible. Not only does it allow me to get to know colleagues better – on both a personal and professional level – but it also gives me the opportunity to understand what is happening on the ground much quicker too. Through experience I have found that getting the best out of the people I work with comes from building solid connections and knowing what drives and motivates them.

What have you learned about how to achieve balance between work and home, and do you have any measures or structures in place to achieve this?

Be really organised and create structure. If you plan ahead both at home and at work, it enables you to be really focused and prioritise important tasks; I often use a Sunday evening to look at the week ahead. Carving out time for yourself is important, and creating weekly opportunities to focus on your own wellbeing is key, whether that’s exercise, a hobby or other social arrangements. No matter how busy you are at work, it’s important to take time for yourself and do things that energise and inspire you. Despite the obvious hurdles, I exercise in the morning before work as it clears my head and sets me up for the day – I think the expression in business is “eat the frog”! I have a busy work and home life too, with all that comes with being a parent to two children, so finding the balance is incredibly important to me. I’m fortunate to have a great support system around me. Being able to switch off and be present together as a family is also essential.

Looking ahead, what does the next chapter hold for you?

I am looking forward to continuing to develop in my career at Savills and to further build and grow our London residential business, while remaining focused on maintaining our position as market leader. It has been a fantastic journey so far and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with incredible teams and collaborating with colleagues in other UK divisions, as well as residential colleagues globally, too. I am excited about the next chapter and what it will bring.

Embracing change is also something I do with confidence. The introduction of digital platforms like MySavills has not only provided an opportunity for growth, but also a moment to reflect on how far the industry has evolved, while still valuing the nuances and strengths of traditional agency.