Introducing our new National Chair

Jennifer Winyard, dual qualified Surveyor and Planner, is our new National Chair, 2024-2025.

Jennifer, who is Senior Strategic Land & Planning Manager at Barratt Homes Yorkshire West, takes up the post for one year from 1 March. After joining Women in Property in 2007, Jennifer has been Yorkshire & North-East branch Chair, a Mentoring Ambassador and Student Awards Ambassador, leading our National Student Awards programme, which is now in its 18^th year.  She has also been re-elected to the RTPI’s General Assembly where members debate Planning policy and practice.  As an experienced mentor, Jennifer supports fellow professionals through their RTPI and RICS APCs, as well as on the WiP cross-discipline mentoring programme. 

Jennifer said, “Encouraging girls to consider a career in property and construction has been a major focus for me, throughout my professional life. My lived experience of this industry highlights the fantastic scope it offers across all sectors. There is still more to do to encourage more people, particularly girls and young women, to make it their future too.  I want to help change mindsets and unlock the potential they offer.

“Programmes in the sector, such as the work my own employer Barratt Homes is doing, and Women in Property’s school outreach, Student Awards and Mentoring programmes, which run across the UK, are an important part of ensuring that the new generation comes into property and construction.”

David Thomas, Chief Executive of Barratt Developments, added: “Jennifer’s appointment as Chair of Women in Property reflects her determination to attract more women into the sector, and then to provide the mentorship that enables them to succeed across a wide variety of roles. She will bring boundless energy and insight to this new role, which will benefit the wider property and construction sector.”

Outgoing National Chair, Chithra Marsh of Buttress Architects, will support Jennifer in her role, as will Emma Richman, Director of Operations at Peaks & Plains Housing Trust, who becomes National Vice Chair on 1 March.  Emma, a qualified Architect and Building Surveyor, is also an Independent Non-Executive Director at First Choice Homes, Oldham.  In addition, the National Team is supported by Women in Property’s Board of Directors.