IWD: Women in Property

With Sallyanne George, Development Manager; Alicia Hayward, Assistant Development Manager; Katie Clutterbuck, Head of Sales; Charlotte Mason, Marketing Manager.?

How do you feel your experience in the property industry has been different to that of your male colleagues?

SG: It is always going to be challenging trying to work in an environment that has been historically and typically male dominated. There are also some men who still maintain a very exclusive and hostile view of women working in the industry. I feel this is most prevalent on a construction site, which still can feel like walking into a Lion's den, even down to the PPE kit which is still designed exclusively for men (albeit there are female PPE companies springing up)!?

AH: Being successful in a competitive industry is never easy and both men and women are faced with various challenges. However, female colleagues are likely to be more familiar with certain everyday obstacles, which men don't necessarily have to think about. Fortunately, I am working for a business with a balanced number of women and men, if not more women. Nevertheless, I have been in many situations, when attending external training courses or working from a construction site, where women are still clearly under-represented and sometimes greeted with scepticism.

KC: As a woman I feel a need to consistently prove myself, above and beyond that of my male colleagues. Whilst I acknowledge that I have been fortunate to have worked in supportive environments and with colleagues who support my progression, I feel as though the property/developer/construction industry remains male dominated and so to its preconceptions. That said, I am encouraged to see women increasingly being championed and in positions of authority, namely the recent appointment of Jennie Daly as the first woman to lead a housebuilder at Taylor Wimpey.?

CM: I can honestly say that my experiences in the industry have never left me feeling inferior to my male colleagues. I have been given fantastic opportunities to voice my opinion, learn and grow in my role since joining the industry two years ago. Looking at our team, industry publications, networking platforms, and having attended events in the property industry, I consider my experience so far, and opportunities within marketing in the property industry to be equal to those of male colleagues.?

What is one challenge you have had to overcome as a woman in property?

SG: Even recently I was told it was 'ladies day' on site as there happened to be two women present, both of us in a professional capacity. I think the main challenge is not to take offence or anything personally, it is hard when you have worked as hard as your male counterparts, yet are not always given the same respect. However, change doesn't happen overnight and we should never lose sight of how far we have come. I hope that the next generation of women coming up through similar career journeys, feel less of a divide and don’t face the same challenges. I think it is also important to act with integrity and in a demonstrable way, that means we as women can be proud and firm in our integral position within the industry.?

AH: A challenge I believe many women face in the property industry is not allowing ourselves to be influenced by gender bias and outdated structures. It is important to fight assumptions and to support other women in the industry. Rather than trying to adapt to a male-dominated culture we need to embrace and celebrate our female perspectives and unique characteristics. There should be no need to justify our chosen career path or ambitious professional goals.

KC: There have been several, however, one common theme is the overwhelming nature of realising you are the ‘only woman in the room’ which causes a need to demonstrate one’s value above and beyond your male counterparts so as to rationalise your place at the table.?

CM: Finding boots and a high vis jacket that fit!?

How have you seen the sector change since joining?

SG: I am pleased that the industry is changing, though slower than I would like to see. I know the majority of my own male and female colleagues within Lifestory are non gender biased, and I really feel especially within the teams I am working with on a day to day basis, there is absolute respect and mutual support for everyone. People are so much more aware of the impact of their behaviours and actions towards others.? I don't face some of the same challenges I used to and it feels we are now working cohesively and unitedly. It is important that Senior and influential positions continue to be open to all and we do fill these roles with the right person to ensure we have the diversity to better the companies we work for and the industry we work in. I see women all over the industry being advocates for not only themselves but also other women wanting to rise to the challenge too.

AH: Having entered the industry not too long ago, I have been lucky enough to work with smart women in leadership positions since the beginning of my career. Having successful women around me, who I can look up to, has been a tremendous support and has given me confidence in my own abilities. It has been great to see the number of female colleagues increase in the past years and to celebrate female colleagues being promoted.?

KC: There are definitely more women in the industry than when I first started out. I think the added perspective a woman brings will prove extremely valuable at not only a company level, but continue to drive change in the industry as a whole.?

CM: Since joining the industry and Lifestory in 2020, our Midlands and North team has grown significantly with a number of women joining our office-based team across various disciplines including marketing, ops and land, which has been great to see. Sales and marketing doesn't seem to be an area of business that is largely male-dominated and so is perhaps a little ahead of some teams across the industry. It's positive to see a female on our board now as well as women in our land and development teams, which may have been considered male departments traditionally.

How do you see the future of women in property?

SG: It's an exciting time to be a woman. Thanks to our ancestors for standing up and challenging the status quo, we now have the opportunity to drive real change to benefit the industry and all of us working within it. Real opportunity comes from being in a position to influence positive change. That takes all of us challenging our own attitudes, behaviours, and motivational influences, and asking ourselves if we are contributing to the greater good or hindering it. It also takes a company who drive diversity and open minded thinking through the core of its beliefs.? I see so many incredibly talented women, in Senior positions, and as a woman it is refreshing to have these role models, to encourage us to be brave and step forward on our own paths of self discovery, without the shackles of tradition and societal normalisation, making us feel guilty for reaching our full potentials. As with any diversity, inclusion of all genders can only bring about a whole, strong and fully optimised industry that can thrive.?

AH: I believe that we are heading in the right direction and my views for the future are very positive. More women are filling leadership positions, which will allow future generations to enter a more diverse work environment. Gender expectations are already changing and I hope that soon women and men will be equally respected in any industry.

KC: We don’t wish to dominate, but we wish to bring a different perspective. We wish to add value and be selected for progression based on merit, and not on gender bias.?

CM: It has been encouraging to see more women join our team across the various disciplines and I feel optimistic that the industry (and Lifestory) will continue to welcome women, at various levels, across the business and sector.