Parris Ullrich

My passion for real estate began early. Growing up in Australia, my weekends were filled with open houses alongside my mother and stepfather who ran a real estate business. Witnessing auctions and meticulously recording bids as the "penciller" instilled a fascination with the industry. Back then, letterbox dropping was the go-to marketing strategy - a far cry from today's digital landscape!

Naturally, I gravitated towards property management, initially focusing on its core aspects. As my expertise grew, I transitioned into Strata Management, where I honed my skills in service charges and residential property management.

An opportunity then arose through a valued contact to venture into the dynamic Middle East market. In 2005, I joined a local developer, gaining invaluable experience. In 2009, I took the next step, becoming an Assistant Facilities Manager at Mace. Over the years, I've thrived in diverse roles, working on both the supply chain and client sides, allowing me to continuously learn and evolve within the ever-changing industry.

No two days are ever the same in my role. I thrive on the constant challenge of working with a diverse clientele and a multicultural team. Each day brings a new puzzle to solve, with unique demands and perspectives from people of all backgrounds. This variety keeps me constantly engaged and learning.  The level of responsibility that comes with the role is incredibly motivating. Knowing that my decisions have a real impact fuels my drive to constantly grow and strive for excellence.

For me, delivering differently is all about bridging the gap between a client's vision and a tangible solution. We excel at interpreting the client's dreams and then developing a unique roadmap to make them a reality. This is where our unique position shines. We combine the agility of a startup with the experience of a seasoned firm. It allows us to be fiercely entrepreneurial, constantly seeking innovative solutions that challenge the status quo.

Of course, there are boundaries and parameters within which we operate. But that doesn't stifle creativity. We foster a culture where every voice is heard, and there's always a seat at the table for bold ideas. We don't subscribe to the "because we've always done it this way" mentality.  Instead, we question the norm and actively seek better ways to deliver exceptional results for our clients.

In all honesty there are too many to list. My proudest moments come from things such as contract renewals where we’ve worked with the client for several years, and they’ve gone to market and determined that we’re the best fit and renew. Then there’s the people-focused side. Attending a client review meeting and getting great feedback about the team is highly satisfying, because it says so much about our culture and how we contribute and put our behaviours into practice.

But there are so many things that make me proud: clients expanding their portfolio with us, the positive feedback we receive on our technology, any industry awards we win and most recently, being part of the founding leadership team at Macro Group.

My advice to someone looking to get into this field would be to develop a strong understanding of the industry, and continuously keep up to date with the latest trends and technologies in the field. In my region, I can go into meetings as the only female in the room. You’re aware of it and so go the extra mile to be prepared.

Above all, cultivating a passion for problem-solving, teamwork, and a commitment to delivering high-quality services to clients is crucial in this fast-paced and dynamic industry. Find a mentor (this can really help) and create a network within your business - reach out, there’s a lot you can do to succeed.

Stay challenged, be brave and say yes to doing things outside your role so that you can grow your experience and skillset. Even now, every week I’ll have something that needs to be done that I’m a little anxious about, whether that’s a client presentation or a difficult conversation, but you get through these things, you learn and develop.

This is a fantastic industry with boundless opportunities, so grab it with both hands! Most people managers say this, but making a difference for our people and helping them to progress and grow means a lot. We were recently able to make a number of promotions and then backfill roles as a result of business growth – that makes a huge difference to the lives of those colleagues, knowing that you have a pathway from junior roles to becoming a Director.