Darren Hill, Managing Director of UK and Ireland, has been a critical member of the EMEA HqO team for over two years, but today he is using his over a decade of experience to help launch the Best Spaces To Work Program in London.
Tell me a little bit about your career history
I’ve spent more than 12 years in the commercial real estate space having held countless roles across nearly every asset class – I have even been involved in buying and selling data centers across the EMEA region. One significant chapter in my professional story was my time at WeWork, where I played a pivotal role in the Enterprise sales team during a period of hypergrowth. This experience not only finely sharpened my skills but also provided me with valuable insights into the dynamic (and tumultuous) landscape of CRE e and enterprise-level engagements.
What made you want to join the team?
I have always had a strong interest in real estate technology. Traditionally CRE is not a tech-forward sector, but I have always found that when organizations invest in this space their success and growth exceed expectations. That said, HqO first caught my attention when they introduced Digital Grid (the original name for our Analytics product) a few years ago, and from that moment, I knew I wanted to be part of this innovative environment. The pivotal moment came after the successful Series C raise, and I eagerly seized the opportunity to connect with the team. Fortunately, in September 2021, I was welcomed aboard.
In your role, what are you responsible for?
In my current role, I drive revenue growth across Europe, with a primary focus on the UK and Ireland. Even though I’m in a traditional sales position, what sets it apart is the opportunity to collaborate cross-functionally and spearhead the development of innovative sales enablement strategies. Lately, I’ve been deeply involved in a collaborative effort with our marketing team, contributing to the creation of the Best Spaces to Work program. This experience has proven to be incredibly enlightening, and although it’s still early days, the results we’ve achieved so far are nothing short of impressive.
What are you most excited about right now?
The Best Spaces to Work in London list! This innovative program aims to revolutionize real estate by highlighting exceptional properties, offices, and amenity spaces in Central London based on tenant and employee experiences. It’s a unique initiative that will create a groundbreaking sentiment dataset, potentially changing the industry. The opportunity to be market makers in this transformative process adds an extra layer of excitement, and I believe it has the potential to reshape how we perceive and engage with workspaces.
And to wrap up, a couple of quick rapid-fire questions for you:
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
- Neither! I have two young kids – generally, I don’t sleep much!
What is your go-to productivity trick?
- Set three goals at the start of each day (anything from personal to professional). They have to stretch you but be achievable. Try to complete the most challenging one in the morning.
What football team do you root for?
- Liverpool FC.
If you could have only three apps on your phone – what would they be?
- Amazon, X, Hodinkee… and HqO(!)
