Did you always want to go into real estate?

At the very beginning I was more interested in tourism and travel agencies, so I even studied that at the Prague University of Economics. But my part-time job in the first year was when Vinohradský Pavilon was opening. I was working with Inez Šipulová in the management of the building, filling in for the secretary when she was on holidays. Then I came again later when she was on holidays, and then I helped them with the center magazine, and slowly I started more and more to [develop] the real estate relationship.

So you went into property right after school?

After my studies I started in a travel agency but I wasn’t really happy there. In the paper there was a DTZ advert looking for agents, so I applied and agreed with them. That was with Jason Sharman and Omar Sattar [former associate director and managing director].

You weren’t doing retail there though, were you?

I was responsible for landlord representation and partly tenant representation. But what was very interesting, and I’m still very happy to say, is that they supported me a lot with my studies. When I was just three months at DTZ, Jason told me I could start a distance learning course for the diploma in surveying at the College of Estate Management in Reading, in the UK. I was quite worried, but he told me he was sure I could do it. 

It’s still quite important to push young agents into a more formalized study of real estate, isn’t it?

I would always support it – it’s the theoretical basis people need. Without it, they just pick up experiences, but they don’t get to the proper professional level they could have achieved. 

In the UK, without the RICS title [people] aren’t able to move from a junior position to a senior position. It’s just natural.

You do hear developers complaining a lot about agents recently.

I think part of it is just trying to find someone to blame. I think there are many who know how to help the developers and who know how to consult and provide good assistance. But the truth is somewhere in between. I wouldn’t use it as a general comment.

Where did you go after DTZ?

I left DTZ in 2003 for PBW Czech Republic, the owner of IBC and Mylsbek at the time. The reason was simple: I wanted to experience the business from the other side. I really just wanted to create something – not that agents don’t create, but you’re always in the middle. I wanted to see things from the landlord’s point of view. I spent three years there, and then an offer came from Bank Austria Real Invest to start the local branch in Prague.

At the same time, you were getting deeply involved with RICS Czech Republic.

Leon van Leersum was the chairman at the time, but he had to leave. He wanted it to continue, so I said why not? I’d been the first native Czech RICS member and I was involved in the board in the first year. I saw it as something of a challenge as one of a small number of ladies within the business to be leading a professional body in the Czech Republic.

Being a woman doesn’t seem to have hurt your career track. Would you like to see more women in property, or do you think it’s more of a man’s job?

I don’t think it’s more of a man’s job. If you look at the real estate sector in the Czech Republic you’ll see there are a lot of women, but they’re not in senior positions. In part, it’s the same reason that it always is. At a certain age, they follow their husbands, they have a family so they disappear a little bit, and then they come back.

I think it’s always about priorities, and women tend to prioritize the family and then the job. It’s not a disadvantageous position for us. Women are good at the job as well. But the top management is also a bit afraid that once they put her in a senior position, what if...

You don’t think that’s unfair?

From the position of the manager, I can completely understand it. Women could see it as unfair, but on the other hand, you’re in a position where you want to have babies and a family. And that will always be the priority for a woman. So I don’t think it’s fair to say it’s unfair. It’s just life; it’s the way it works.

Do you have any personal mentors, or models in business?

I don’t have any specific person. I like to get ideas from different parts of business. But I have to say I always value the presence of Olga Humlová [Salans]. I like to hear what she’s presenting; it always makes sense and there’s always a lot of information there that you can use in your own life and even in your professional life.

You were nominated to become a member of the RICS European board. What do you plan to do there? What do you hope to accomplish?

It’s a body that’s responsible for creating the strategy of RICS Europe in all respects: how the education will be followed up, what the membership basis will be and in which new countries we’d like to open local organizations. There are 12 board members from around Europe, and we’re responsible as a body and each of us is responsible for different aspects of the strategy. Given my background, I’m trying to be more involved in the real estate agencies. RICS is trying to create a standard Red Book for the agencies, so we’re currently working on the document, commenting on the first draft. We’d like to come up with a set of standards valid for all members.

What’s your favorite non-business magazine?

Reflex.

Which section do you read, or what kind of articles do you like?

I always read the interviews of different personalities. The section about people living abroad, people who have had experience living and working in Africa or Asia.

When will you go abroad to work?

I don’t know. I’m stuck in Prague! I like Prague and I like travelling and working in Europe.

What was the last good trip you took?

Springtime in Rome, but at Christmas I’m planning to go to Thailand again. It was very relaxing and very nice.

Will you go to the same place?

Not really. We’re trying to explore some new islands, so we’ll see. We’re pure backpackers.

So you don’t do the five-star route?

No. Just our tickets and then we make our plans on the spot.

What’s the last movie you saw that you’d highly recommend?

I don’t go so often, so I only see what I want to see. The last one I saw was the last Tarantino movie, Inglourious Basterds.

What was the attraction, Brad Pitt or Quentin Tarantino?

Both.

Who’s your favorite actor?

I don’t know. From a woman’s point of view, I have to say Brad Pitt is very good. Even in this strange movie. I think he’s getting better and better as an actor. It’s not just that he looks nice, but as he gets older, I think he’s getting better.

What’s your most serious hobby?

Gardening. Two years ago we moved to a new house, so we’re creating the garden. It’s a big job, but I like it.