Q&A with Ashley Cox
Continuing the Q&A series with key figures from The Howard de Walden Estate
In the latest in our Q&A series, we hear from Head of Customer and Community, Ashley Cox, who discusses what gives the Estate its community feel, describes some current community and charitable initiatives, and shares her favourite street in Marylebone.
Tell us about your role at The Howard de Walden Estate: what does it involve?
I’m still considered a newbie at Howard de Walden, having only been here just shy of two years, but in that time, my role has evolved from focusing entirely on the business’ customer engagement strategy to also leading on our community investment.
Our community investment encompasses our charitable giving and support of local institutions and initiatives, and is aligned with our diversity and inclusion aims. Through our various initiatives, we try to create meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships with local stakeholders, to support vulnerable people and to maximise the social impact we can have as a business.
People often cite Marylebone’s community feel as a distinguishing factor. What makes the community aspect and what does Howard de Walden do to foster that feel?
One of the most impactful moments for me early on at Howard de Walden was when I volunteered at our Christmas Lights event in 2019, and I witnessed first-hand how great this community is when local residents, visitors, schools, and businesses all come together. I was so proud to be working for an organisation that played such a vital role in the community.
We have a unique portfolio filled with amazing people who all contribute to create this special place. There is a real village feel to Marylebone, where local people know each other and people and shops have been around for a long time, and that’s not an easy thing to come by right in the heart of central London.
Howard de Walden has been working hard for decades to curate, nurture and support this area, and a lot of work goes into it from all areas of our company. Whether that be choosing the right retailers and restaurants for the high street, building strong relationships with our occupiers, or promoting the local area and bringing everyone together through an active calendar of events, we all know our community is at the heart of our USP, and we work hard to ensure it continues to thrive.
What are some of the community and charitable engagement initiatives that you’re working on currently?
There is always a lot going on. Right now, we are developing a futures programme with a local youth centre, focused on building skills for their older members that will be useful when entering the workforce.
We’ve also spent the past year growing our relationship with the University of Westminster. Along with the scholarships, mentoring, and Covid relief donations we have provided, we are also employing a summer intern and participating next month in their Working Cultures UK Programme, aimed at giving undergraduate students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds an insight into various sectors, careers and skills via presentations from UK businesses.
Finally, one of our more recent donations was to the Marylebone branch of Foodcycle, and once we are back more regularly in the office, we will be looking to further our support by volunteering at their food redistribution centre nearby.
Finally, what are your favourite spots in Marylebone Village?
If I had one piece of advice for someone visiting Marylebone Village, it would be to head to Moxon St. It has everything you need between The Marylebone Florist, Rococo Chocolates, The Ginger Pig and La Fromagerie to host an amazing dinner party, pick up a treat for yourself and your family, find the perfect host gift, or just for a little bit of indulgence. If you haven’t been into the cheese room at La Fromagerie, you are missing out!
