Knight Frank Interiors have recently welcomed a wonderful new addition to the team - Kitty Lawton. We took 5 minutes to catch up with our International Business Development Coordinator, to talk all things career journey, client relationship building and advice for people wanting to get into the industry.
Hi Kitty! So, tell us a little bit about your journey within the industry so far. What led you to this point in your career?
My master’s in international business and previous experience working with an international clientele confirmed my passion for building those relationships. I have always been interested in how business relations are conducted all over the world so I knew that that had to be an integral part to my career. In terms of working within interior design, that was a case of mixing business with pleasure! As soon as the opportunity came up to combine my personal interests with my career goals, I knew I had to take it.
What is a typical day like as Business Development Coordinator at Knight Frank Interiors?
A typical day for me usually involves interacting with our international clients, the majority of which are from the UAE and Asia. I capture their requirements before putting together quotations for them of their favourite collections to best suit their needs, the international clientele I liaise with largely require tenancy packages. You will often find me carrying out site visits throughout London, and then liaising with other parts of the business to ensure a smooth installation process.
I also provide support to the wider team, working with an international design-house there is never a repeat day – which keeps my diary interesting! One thing that ties all the brands together is their attention to detail and exceptional client care and that’s something I really enjoy being part of too.
I speak to different people each day, from clients, to Knight Frank agents, to my wonderful colleagues, and as I’m a chatty person, I absolutely love it!
What have you found is the most challenging aspect of your role so far?
I guess I would say the most challenging aspect of my role is working with all the time differences that apply to us and our clients, making sure it is suitable for both us and them so that neither end is having to speak at an unsociable hour! Further to this, it is sad that, due to their location, a lot of the time we are unable to meet them in person and further build that connection. Thank goodness for Zoom and it just makes us that more appreciative for in-person meetings.
What have you found is the most rewarding aspect of your role so far?
The most rewarding aspect of my role is definitely helping clients to achieve their dream homes that they are excited about. Hearing how happy they are with the finished product is such a great feeling.
What advice would you give someone wanting to get into Business Development?
Confidence is key for sure! The key is being personable and being able to build relationships with anyone and everyone. Further to this, being passionate about the industry that you are in makes such a difference. Business development itself is a great role in that it is quite transferable over different industries so I would advise on finding the right one for you and pushing on from there. If you are going to be building your relationships based on selling the products, being personally interested and excited by them will put you ahead of the game already!
What is your favourite interior trend so far this year?
Anything bouclé! Our Feature Sofa from our Riverside One project is quite literally the dream! It’s such a stunning addition for any home and I’ve seen it used across a variety of projects – it’s perfection!
Contact our dedicated team to hear more about our tailor-made interior design services and how we can assist you in your next renovation.