In conversation with Priscilla Ephraim and Palvinder Kalsi, National Grid UK Land and Property
Please note that this article was published prior to the new brand name of PREACH Inclusion® on 25 April 2024, so you will notice references to BAME in Property.
Priscilla Ephraim and Palvinder Kalsi.
For National Careers Week 2024 (4 – 9 March), we’re spotlighting our partner, National Grid to showcase the array of careers within the UK Land and Property (UKLP) department. While careers in Engineering and Energy are perhaps more resonant with National Grid, there is an entire Property Portfolio, comprising of some 1,680 properties and land holdings on 645 sites throughout the UK.
The portfolio consists of offices, depots, houses and land, which are used for National Grid's business operations, let to third parties, or surplus to requirements. The operations require a range of skills, from surveying to land rights and project management, to support officers and more. Overall, the department adds value to National Grid’s Land and Property assets; and enables the business through safe, effective and efficient property services and solutions.
To help our readers understand more about careers within the UKLP team, we caught up with Priscilla Ephraim, a Senior Project Manager and Palvinder Kalsi, a Grantor Relations Assistant, who share with us how they carved a career into property and what their roles entail at National Grid.
They tell us where it all started, from what they studied to any previous work experience that was helpful in landing their roles in the UKLP team.
Being passionate about supporting young people, Priscilla and Palvinder share the importance of mentoring and speaking at careers events as a way to boost confidence and support future talent.
Finally, we share how young people can get involved with National Grid and start their career in the exciting intersection of energy, property and infrastructure.
Grab a cuppa and dive in!
Humble beginnings
Priscilla and Palvinder had slightly different routes and ambitions for entering into the world of property.
Nigerian born and bred, like many of her peers, Priscilla was encouraged to study medicine, law or engineering, professions highly regarded as ‘stable and respectable’. But she had other ideas, following her dream of entering property and construction.
“Like most millennial Nigerians, you either studied to become a Doctor, Lawyer or Engineer, while anything else was viewed as “substandard”. So, you can imagine the flood of tears when I was offered an admission to study Estate Management. In hindsight, I can’t imagine doing anything else but property or construction; it is my bread and butter. Estate management is one of the vastest degrees one could take. The variety of modules I undertook from valuation, contract law, tort law, town planning, architecture, quantity survey etc., has made me a “jack of all trades” – I ended up writing a dissertation on the impact of airport noise on property values. In addition, it helped that my dad has a Diploma in Estate Management, and my uncle is a Chartered Surveyor with a practice in Nigeria. Property runs in the family.” - Priscilla
Following her degree in Estate Management in Nigeria, Priscilla then migrated to England to further her education with firstly an MSc in Engineering Project management and soon after, commenced a PhD in Construction Management.
Meanwhile, for Palvinder, entering the world of property was initially about security and ensuring he could earn a good salary. He later realised an interest in Property Law.
“As a teenager, I thoroughly enjoyed drawing and studied Art as one of my A Level subjects for which I got an A*. However, coming from a low-income background, I made a difficult decision to pursue a career in law with the hope to earn a good salary and help my family and I live a better standard of living. I studied law for three years followed by the Legal Practice Course. As part of my qualifications, I studied Land and Property Law where I learned about ownership, easements, covenants, and licenses. I found this area of law fascinating, especially as I knew I wanted to buy a property for myself and my family in the future.” - Palvinder
Landing their roles at National Grid
Priscilla’s career in property started off as an intern surveyor at a firm in Nigeria. Over time, she has worked in various property related roles in various sectors such as utilities, banking and property finance.
In her current role as Senior Project Manager in the National Grid UKLP team, she is responsible for delivering mission critical building projects that contribute to net zero carbon ambitions.
“I love being part of building projects that will go on to outlive me. There is a myth around National Grid being an “Engineering” company however, there are career opportunities for those with an interest in property. My team, for example, supports with the delivery of property projects within National Grid.” - Priscilla
Upon completing his legal qualifications, Palvinder, like many graduates, was hit by the 2008 recession, and many law firms withdrew their training contracts, necessary for law graduates to qualify as solicitors. He thus decided to pursue a slightly different route, initially in HM Courts and Tribunals, which then led to his role at National Grid.
“With fierce competition, I pursued a career in the Courts and Tribunals outside of my hometown for just over seven years. In the seventh year, I became ill and decided to work closer to home where I could manage a better work-life balance. This is when I saw the role of Grantor Relations Assistant in the Land Rights Acquisitions Team at National Grid. I applied and was offered the role. I manage the details of the owners and occupiers (known as Grantors) whose land we rent to have our apparatus on. I also have to calculate and process any payments owed to Grantors.” - Palvinder
Life at National Grid
Both Priscilla and Palvinder speak highly of the training opportunities at National Grid. Employees are empowered to take on additional responsibilities, as well as develop new skills and qualifications.
“National Grid is keen to see its people SuperPowered! There is so much internal and external resource and support for colleagues who are on their APC. There is also support with professional fees and loads of training on offer (RICS, APM, etc). Alongside objectives, people are encouraged to have a personal development plan.” - Priscilla
“Since starting my role, I have taken strong ownership of my progression from handling simple to the most complex matters. I have also taken on various ad hoc tasks from being an Employee Engagement Champion to managing Complaints on an interim basis. The role has truly allowed me to continuously develop my skills, knowledge and behaviours to become a well-rounded individual.” - Palvinder
National Grid also invests in leadership and progress for employees, with programmes such as the Future Leaders and Diverse Leaders programmes. Priscilla is currently on the Future Leaders, a highly competitive 12-month development programme intended to develop the leadership behaviours of participants in readiness for future leadership roles. With the support of her manager and career mentor, Priscilla was able to secure a spot. The programme grants her access to an online peer-learning platform, 1-to-1 coaching, fireside chats, peer led discussion groups and events focused on developing leadership skills.
Empowering the next generation of talent
There is no doubt that Priscilla and Palvinder are passionate about inspiring and supporting the next generation of talent, citing mentoring as an important way to help achieve this, along with speaking to young people about different career choices.
“A positive mentoring relationship can boost a young person’s self-confidence to tackle challenges and achieve their goals… A mentor can introduce young people to industry professionals and, in turn, open doors to new opportunities. Overall, mentoring can play a significant role in helping young people achieve a successful career in the property sector.” - Palvinder
In October 2023, Priscilla took part in the STEM Careers panel at the UK Black Business Show, where she shared insights on her career journey and role at National Grid. The fact that it was her birthday too, just elevated the experience for her!
“Yesterday was my birthday and it was the greatest honour to spend it with the next generation of STEM talent. Pouring into them, answering questions and speaking about my career journey into STEM and my time at National Grid. Shout out to my dad for guiding me down the STEM path.
“I will leave you with this: STEM has no race, no gender, no physical appearance, it comes from no country. STEM is for everyone. STEM is for problem solvers; STEM is a way of thinking.” - Priscilla
Diversity at the heart of National Grid
National Grid is at the heart of energy in the UK, serving diverse communities across society. It is therefore vital that the people who make up National Grid represent these different communities.
With the need for more clean energy and constant innovation, it only makes sense to bring the most diverse and brightest minds together.
“The future net zero workforce needs more diverse leaders. The net zero challenge is a concern to everyone, and it is crucial that the people who provide the solution are representative of the communities that we serve.” - Priscilla
“Attracting and building a diverse workforce is crucial to identify and implement the most cost-efficient energy solutions while representing the communities we serve.” - Palvinder
And to help with more diverse outputs, the work starts from within. National Grid has several Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), representing and supporting employees from a range of backgrounds.
Priscilla is currently Vice Chair of the ONE ERG that supports colleagues from ethnic minority backgrounds. ONE recently got shortlisted as “ERG of the Year” at the British Diversity Awards. National Grid was also ranked within the Top 25 organisations in the 2023 Investing in Ethnicity Maturity Matrix.
Wise words to their younger selves
Both Priscilla and Palvinder have had great careers to date and should be proud of everything they’ve achieved. However, they both echo the importance of accepting one’s fate and giving yourself grace in the face of adversity.
“Life is lived in forward motion but understood in retrospect. The more I live, the more I understand that all the great and challenging things I have encountered in life, have led me to where I am and made me who I have become. A bible scripture I live by is Romans 3:3-5 says: “but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” - Priscilla
“Embrace the journey with all its ups and downs. Everything happens for a reason, which helps us to learn and grow and become who we are today. To have more faith in myself: I am stronger than I think – especially given I went through a life changing and major surgery in 2022, followed by further surgery in 2023, while still excelling in my role and pursuing my hobby of drawing. Finally, be kind, curious and true to who you are.” - Palvinder
Career opportunities at National Grid
If you’re inspired to join National Grid after reading Priscilla and Palvinder’s fascinating stories, our Apprenticeship programme could be perfect for you.
National Grid’s Advanced and Higher Apprenticeship programmes are suitable for those who are leaving formal education and are looking for their next steps in the world of work.
They are also suitable for those who are looking to switch up their career path or dive back into education after some time out of work. The apprenticeships allow people to combine academic studying of an industry recognised qualification with ‘on the job’ learning all while receiving a competitive salary. Learn more HERE.
The latest Apprenticeship roles can also be found on our Jobs Board HERE.
Thank you to Priscilla and Palvinder for sharing more about their careers and what National Grid UKLP does.