My BE Career: Dee Parsons
Name: Dee Parsons
Job title: Group CEO and sustainability and outreach director, Better Green Group
What I do: I am the CEO of the Better Green Group and the sustainability and outreach director within the business.
Why I got into the property industry: I started Better Green Group with longstanding experience in delivering live events and large-scale sporting infrastructure, which enabled us to scale the team and work with clients across the world. Covid marked a pivotal turning point in our business. During the pandemic, we began building Covid testing booths for universities, which caught the attention of the head of estates at King’s College London. Recognising our expertise, King’s College London invited us to design a testing facility as part of the Stamford Street campus refurbishment. Impressed with the quality of our work, they entrusted us with the first three phases of accommodation refurbishment.
This is how Better Green Living started and today, we are proud to be in our 12th phase, with an additional year of work planned. Collaborating with King’s College London is a privilege; we’re honoured to contribute to the preservation and longevity of these historic educational buildings, which nurture the future thinkers of our society. That said, my father was a property developer for over 30 years and is now a senior at a large residential developer. I must have it in my blood!
My first proper job: I originally wanted to be a lawyer, but the thought of committing seven years to study before fully understanding the field made me hesitant. So, I went straight from school, with good grades, into a law office for a year to get firsthand experience. I hated it! On my last day there, my best friend took me shopping, and we walked into a local clothing shop brimming with amazing clubbing clothes. When I mentioned to the owner that I’d never seen or heard of his shop and suggested he should do a fashion show, he looked at me and said, “Go on, then.” And just like that, I found myself organising my first-ever event.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Covid was a defining moment. It drove us to think outside the box with our business model, and we decided to create Covid testing hubs for universities and councils in seven different London locations. Through it all, we witnessed firsthand how quickly resilience can grow.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Besides becoming a mother, I believe my proudest moment is still on the horizon, which is incredibly exciting! Just when I think I’ve reached it, I find myself believing there’s even more we can accomplish. Navigating our business through the challenges of Covid-19, remaining resilient, trusting our abilities, and prioritising the wellbeing of our team has also been a deeply satisfying journey.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: That you can’t stick to an agreed budget, you can! Renovating can be more straightforward – if not easier and more cost-effective – than building new. We’re fortunate to have an abundance of remarkable buildings in the UK; let’s prioritise preserving them and safeguarding our country’s historical legacy for future generations.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: Experience in commercial building isn’t solely defined by years on the industry map. While we might be seen as the ‘new kid on the block,’ we bring a wealth of expertise, fresh ideas, and innovative approaches to the table. Just because we haven’t been in the same game for 30 years doesn’t mean we don’t know what we’re doing.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: We are committed to growing and expanding Better Green Living. We want to double the company in size, by partnering with more universities and schools as well as hotels to help preserve and sustain their buildings. Our passion for this work is deeply rooted, shared across our entire team, and reflected in our values and actions. We are incredibly proud of the real, tangible impact we make through sustainable practices and community outreach – far beyond mere lip service. We’re dedicated to making a difference and giving back in meaningful ways that are complementary to our clients’ goals and plans.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: My dinner party plan would be all my best friends and their partners. They are the ones I love to be around, I wouldn’t want anyone else!
What I do in my downtime: Music is a big part of what I love. Electronic dance music, festivals, Ibiza, large music events – that is where you will find me. I have learned to DJ over the past two years, I played Glastonbury this year and I am playing for Fat Boy Slim at his weekender in Minehead. I also love hosting dinner parties and failing that I will be in our lovely village local.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: Electronic dance music has always been a huge part of my life, and finally finding the courage to dive into it has been an incredible enhancement to life, especially learning alongside my daughter.
My advice for someone just starting out: Start from the ground up, and always listen. What you will learn on the way up you will never forget when you are more senior, and you will make the right decisions for your company and your team based on that.
My motto/mantra: You are as only as good as the person to the left and the right of you. Choose wisely and treat them very well. Surround yourself with people who respect you, inspire you, teach you, and believe in your vision and ethos.
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tell us about your career
Are you from a less traditional background than most of your peers and colleagues? Do you have an inspirational story to share with others from less conventional backgrounds looking to carve out careers in the built environment industry? Tell us about your amazing built environment career.