Oliva Harris: Dive into Dolphin Living

<p>After working as a Chartered Accountant for more than 15 years within the property industry, Harris was previously Finance Director at Dolphin Living, eventually assuming the role of Chief Executive. With an abundance of industry knowledge and an impressive career, Olivia shares with Nick Dolphin Livings's core mission, what they have planned for their future talent and how they have navigated through these unprecedented times.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Life before Dolphin </strong></p><p>Following her Chartered Accountant qualification, Harris worked in a practice for a couple of years, working with real estate clients such as Mapeley and Delancy. She shares that this was a time in her life when she had an accelerated learning curve, however, working full-time became incompatible with her life as a Mum. </p><p>With the support of Delancy, she then made the jump to setting herself up as a consultant working part-time, giving her more flexibility whilst enabling her to continue the fascinating work that she always had done, such as working on a German property fund and student accommodation.</p><p>After realising she was treading water and not advancing her career at the rate she wanted, Harris applied for a part-time Finance Director role at Dolphin Living, and that’s where her voyage with Dolphin began. </p><p> </p><p><strong>Diving into Dolphin Living </strong></p><p>Distraught after not initially getting to the 2nd interview stage, Harris eventually progressed through the stages and met with the board. Subsequently, Harris was offered the job and joined in April 2012, and has now been with them for a solid 10 years. </p><p>Harris shares that in the 1960s Westminster City Council bought Dolphin Square. Fast-forward to the 2000s and the council realised that the square wasn’t reaching its full potential. They did something about it, and along with the leaseholders the interest was sold. </p><p>The charity was set up to help London workers on modest incomes afford accommodation near their places of work. Harris de