Co-CEO and Managing Director at Homes for Students: Building a student living empire

My Duvet Flip by Jack Parsons

Jack Parsons

Business, Careers

4.2 • 5 Ratings

🗓️ 7 October 2025

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Episode Guest:

Graham Rogers

Graham Rogers is the Co-CEO of Homes for Students, bringing a decade of leadership experience in student accommodation and a passion for a people-first culture.

Kate Forester

Kate Forester is the Managing Director at Homes for Students, known for her straight-talking leadership style, focus on team development, and deep commitment to delivering on promises.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:41 Meet Kate & Graham — Double Trouble

1:46 First Jobs: Paper Rounds & Waitressing

4:00 Early Money Lessons & Family Motivation

5:30 Advice for Young People Starting Out

8:00 How to Know When a Job Isn’t for You

10:35 From Waitressing to Banking to Leadership

13:20 Presence, Imposter Syndrome & Tangible Feedback

16:45 Independence & Grit in the Workplace

20:15 Climbing the Career Ladder the Right Way

23:05 Resilience: Why Young People Need More of It

26:15 Giving Feedback Without Fear

29:05 The Story Behind Homes for Students

32:00 How You Leave a Job Matters

35:15 Starting a Business: The Risks & Real Talk

38:00 Leadership Lessons from the Early Days

41:00 Building a People-First Culture

43:00 Dealing with Mucky Ducks in Business

45:00 Learning the Hard Way — Personal Reflections

47:30 What's Next for Homes for Students

49:00 Kate & Graham’s Duvet Flip

Episode Partners

📊 Compare the Market

Discover how you can make a difference at Compare the Market, the company behind one of the UK’s most popular comparison sites. From tech and data to marketing and operations, they’re on a mission to simplify decisions for millions.

https://bit.ly/4i53Svj

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Transcript

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0:00.0	not everything's going to be for you and some things you're going to hate, some things you're going to love. How do you know something is not for you? After I'd done all the various roles within the bank, I did ask for more and there wasn't much more. I thought, no, it's time for me to move on. Hi, I'm Grow Mudgeus. Hi, I'm Kate Forrester. Co-CEO of Homes for Students. Managing Director at Homes for Students. We employed...
0:21.6	I'm 1,200 staff.
0:23.6	And this is my DVFIP.
0:25.6	What was some of those things that you learn that has made you better people, better professionals?
0:32.6	The justification for it was you don't have enough presence.
0:36.6	That's haunted me.
0:38.3	How do you get rid of that feedback here?
0:39.3	Don't be as scared of somebody, you know, potentially being promoted above you.
0:43.3	What's your invisible success?
0:45.3	Being able to leave my responsibilities in the capable hands of the team that we've created.
0:50.3	Our people are our superpower.
0:51.3	What's your do-day flip? What gets you out of bed in the morning to flip the duvet every morning? For me, it's about... Hi, I'm Crowe Rogers. I'm Kate Forrester. Co-CEO of HOMS for Students. Managing Director at Homes for Students. I'm excited about talking about today is what we do within our organisation. I said yes to coming on my dovet because my team keep pushing me outside of my comfort zone.
1:13.6	I've never met Jack before.
1:14.6	I love Jack's questioning technique.
1:16.6	So I hope that from today people identify
1:19.6	that it's not just about how much you earn,
1:22.6	but don't forget who you are as a person.
1:26.6	Hi Jack.
1:28.3	Great to be here.
1:31.3	Let's do this.
1:32.3	You follow me everywhere.
1:34.3	Welcome to my dovet flip.
	...

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