Lorraine Thomas is a trailblazing property developer, mentor, and socially conscious landlord with a passion for combining commercial acumen with social purpose. A recognized figure in the UK property sector, Lorraine has dedicated her career to shaking up the industry with her unique approach to property development and investment. She is on a mission to create a new breed of landlord—one that values people over profit and builds with a purpose.
Lorraine’s journey into property development was anything but conventional. After a successful career in business development within the legal sector, Lorraine made a life-changing leap in 2016 when she took on a part-time role procuring rental properties for disadvantaged young adults. This experience, coupled with her own personal story, led her to start buying and developing properties, initially focused on providing safe, affordable homes for high-risk and vulnerable tenants. From there, Lorraine’s business, View From My Window, was born. A small property development company committed to creating positive impact in the communities it serves.
Despite starting with limited resources, Lorraine’s rise in the property sector has been remarkable. From humble beginnings, she has grown her portfolio from a modest £62.50 per week as a carer for her father to managing substantial developments, with projects ranging from £200,000 to £3.2 million.
Lorraine’s success has not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous accolades, including being invited to No.10 Downing Street by Prime Minister Boris Johnson for International Women’s Day as an inspiring small business leader. In 2020, Lorraine was named in the f:Entrepreneur #ialso100 list, recognizing her as one of the top 100 UK businesses led by women. She was also named one of the top 30 inspiring women to watch in 2021 and 2022 by the NYC Journal. Additionally, Lorraine received the Lancelot Andrewes medal from the Bishop of Southwark for her work in the community and was awarded the Inspiring Diversity Champion Award.
Her influence extends beyond property development. Lorraine is a sought-after voice in the wider business and social impact sectors. She has been a judge for the Best Business Women Awards for the past four years and is a regular commentator for the UK government’s former Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). She has appeared on BBC Politics Live to discuss the state of the property market and has sat on panels for prominent institutions like Google, Close Brothers Bank, Tide Bank, Women in Asset Finance, and the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), where she advocates for more women to join the construction and property sectors.
Lorraine’s passion for mentoring and giving back to the next generation is evident in her outreach to young people, particularly in the construction industry. She regularly speaks in schools to encourage young people to consider careers in construction, highlighting its potential as a lucrative and fulfilling field. She has also spoken at prestigious events such as the Precious Wealth Conference in Westminster and the Women in Finance event in the City for Commercial Acceptance, where she shares her story and insights on the property industry.
Her public speaking extends to a wide range of platforms, including guest appearances on nearly 20 podcasts, where she shares her journey and property expertise. Lorraine has been featured in major publications, including The Telegraph, Homes and Gardens, Property Investor News, NRLA Magazine, Platinum, Women and Home, and Brand You Magazine.
Recently, Lorraine has contributed to a short video highlighting the challenges faced by SME housebuilders in the UK. The video, produced by the UK’s House Builders Federation and Close Brothers, was launched in Westminster, underscoring her growing influence in shaping the future of the property sector.
Lorraine’s commitment to making a positive difference in the world through property is at the heart of everything she does. As a property developer, mentor, and advocate, she is inspiring a new wave of socially conscious landlords and developers who are not just driven by profit, but by purpose and impact. Lorraine’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, vision, and the belief that property can be a force for good.
