Get To Know Charlotte Whincup 💬

We’re thrilled to bring you the next instalment of our ‘Get to Know’ interview series – a chance to spotlight the remarkable individuals who make Bloom thrive. Through these conversations, we uncover their stories, insights, and the passion that fuels our success.

In this edition, we sat down with Co-Owner and Director Charlotte Whincup, whose vision and leadership have been instrumental in shaping Bloom’s journey. Charlotte shared her path to becoming a driving force behind the company, along with an inside look at the values and experiences that inspire her work every day.

💠Could you share your career journey within the property and construction industry and what inspired you to co-found Bloom?

“I started my career with a degree in Architectural Environment Engineering at the University of Nottingham which focussed on engineering within the built environment and how buildings, people and the environment interact.  I really enjoyed this course but having done a fair bit of work experience whilst at school and through university, I found the time I’d spent with a team of Building Surveyors really interesting – I realised I could utilise some of my technical knowledge but have a larger, more commercial role within industry.  I completed a Masters in Building Surveying at Nottingham Trent University and then joined JLL on their graduate scheme in London in 2016. In 2021, I joined a Midlands based firm and that’s where Gareth, Josh and I first worked together in the same team. 

The creation of Bloom came about quite naturally.  We found that our skills complimented each other really well and we all shared the same desire to provide personable, meaningful advice to our clients.  Historically, all three of us have worked for international firms where you’re a small cog in a very large machine, but Bloom gave us the opportunity to create a business where our projects are Director-led and we have the ability to shape and grow the business how we see best.”

How do you see Bloom BC differentiating itself from other consultancies in the property and construction sector?

“Well, I suppose we all think we’re special and different, don’t we!  With Bloom, I was really keen to make sure we’re not only providing clients with the best advice and services on a professional level, but we’re also taking our own advice and walking-the-walk.  I never wanted our business to be solely about profits and making the maximum returns for our clients.  I know this might sound odd, and of course this is important, but I believe business success shouldn’t be at the cost of our planet.  Our ESG strategy drives everything we do – we are consistently reviewing our economic, environmental and social performance and seeing how we can do better.  I’ve also been blown away by how receptive clients have been to our strategy too – it really does go to show that putting in the effort to make a difference elsewhere rather than simply focussing on the bank balance positively impacts the business and our clients.”

What long-term goals or milestones are you most excited about for Bloom BC?

“In all honestly, because we’re still the newbies on the scene, I just love seeing the business grow from strength to strength at the moment.  We talk about how we want Bloom to look in 5, 10, 15 years’ time, but every month so far has provided us with a new challenge, a new opportunity for growth and sometimes the need for an adjusted perspective.  Long may it continue – I believe if you’re not being pushed out of your comfort zone, you’re not developing and growing, and where’s the fun in that?”

Are there any emerging trends in construction or property consultancy that you believe will redefine the industry in the next 5 years?

“It’s the age-old answer… technology.  AI has been around for longer than we realise, it’s just getting smarter and faster, and we all need to learn to use that to our advantage.  The rate at which technology, in surveying particularly, is advancing is crazy.  The way we inspect, report and run projects is constantly evolving and technology gives us the opportunity to streamline every process we do to become more and more efficient.”

What advice would you give to young people entering the industry, especially those aspiring to follow a similar career path to yours?

“Work hard, play hard.  Always follow a career path which you genuinely have an interest in – it makes every day interesting, you will naturally excel and, hopefully, you’ll rarely get the Sunday-scaries!  Say yes to any opportunity you get because even if you find out that a particular role or experience wasn’t for you in the long run, you’ll have learnt something from the journey.  

I would also encourage everyone to understand their own strengths and weaknesses, and use these to their advantage in their roles – the property and construction world is driven by relationships and connections that are created from the very beginning of your career.  Never under estimate how powerful those relationships can be.”

What role do you think sustainability and ESG considerations will play in shaping future consultancy practices?

“I am an eternal optimist when it comes to sustainability in business.  I would love to think that within the next 10 years, all consultancies will be centring their business practices around their ESG targets but in reality, until it becomes a legal requirement, it won’t happen.  We have the privilege that from the moment Bloom launched, sustainability was ingrained into how we operate – for other businesses, they don’t have this luxury and undoing years of unsustainable business practice can take time and cost money.  It also relies on all staff being willing to change how they operate and this alone can cause significant barriers.”

What inspires you outside of work, and how does that influence your leadership style?

“I have always been inspired by my parents.  My mum has an incredible work ethic and has always endeavoured to ensure she does the right thing for her team and staff.  She used to drag (a dramatic word to use but I was a teenager at the time…) me to work with her during school holidays – it meant I was exposed to professional workplaces and scenarios way ahead of the start of my professional career.  Seeing her as part of senior management, leading a team and running numerous businesses has inspired me for so many reasons.  I don’t think I will ever be able to put into words how much I look up to her.  My dad is a legend – I challenge you to find anyone who disagrees.  He has never treated me any differently to my brother, which I will forever be grateful for.  When I showed interest in engineering from a young age, being an engineer himself, he really leaned into it.  He would take me to science parks, exhibitions, bought what would traditionally be known as ‘boys toys’ and would delight in bringing me along to track days where we could race around like hooligans for the day.

My parents have always supported my interests and never told me there is something I can’t do.  They pushed me in my education and encouraged independence from an early age – I realise now that’s how I try to approach leading my team.  I trust them to do their jobs independently, encourage them in their areas of interest and always provide support when it’s needed.”

What’s the most rewarding project you’ve worked on at Bloom BC so far?

“Each instruction has its own challenges and, generally, the bigger the challenge the bigger the reward.  The most exciting project I’m currently working is one I can’t actually talk about yet– watch this space – but I love some of the opportunities that we’re getting at the moment.  Each new enquiry or new client gives me a buzz – I hope that it demonstrates our reputation is building into something great and that clients are keen to work with us because of who we are and the service we provide.  We must be doing something right…”