In a male-dominated industry like property, KPMG director Kate Gardiner says the key is to embrace challenges and think to the future: “It can be challenging being a young woman in the industry – but we need those women coming through.”

Unlike many partner-track candidates at the major consulting firms, Gardiner arrived at KPMG having experienced the full gamut of client-facing roles in property teams at major law firms such as King & Wood Mallesons and Norton Rose Fulbright, architecture firms and positions at design companies.