Blog Description Copyright © 2015 The Association of Women in Property Thu, 24 September 2026 16:13:26 Thu, 24 September 2026 16:13:26 https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/property-week-inspiring-women-in-property-awards-hall-of-fame/ We are more than proud to announce that WiP Board Director and former National Chair, Chithra Marsh, was last night inducted into the Property Week Inspiring Women in Property Awards Hall of Fame , which honours exceptional trailblazers and leaders who have transformed the UK property sector. Chithra was presented with the accolade at the awards ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. Receiving the award, Chithra said: "It almost feels like cheating to be awarded for something that I enjoy so much and that has been central to my life for so many years! But this isn’t just my story – this is about all of us. We should all be celebrated for our differences, irrespective of ethnicity, gender or age. Isn’t that what inclusion is all about? I haven’t done this on my own. There have been so many people with me along the way. My family have been beautiful, giving me their unconditional, loving support at every turn. And my Women in Property family have been a wonderful, embracing influence. I proudly and passionately support their endeavours for diversity and inclusion in the industry, having been North West Branch Chair, National Chair and now a member of the Board of Directors. Through all of this, I have gained strength from knowing that my diverse perspective is important in this industry. Every person in the room is supporting what’s right. That diversity of thought strengthens our industry and gives it the opportunity to be the best it can be." Congratulations Chithra – this is such thoroughly deserved recognition of your contribution to our industry and to Women in Property. https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/property-week-inspiring-women-in-property-awards-hall-of-fame/ https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/property-week-inspiring-women-in-property-awards-hall-of-fame/ Thu, 24 September 2026 16:13:26 https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/women-in-property-sweatworking-london-to-paris-2026/ Train hard, play hard! These seem to be the general rules of engagement for our Spirit Of The Ride cyclists who, this Thursday, will set off from London to Paris, as they take on the latest Women in Property Sweatworking challenge, representing all sectors of the property and construction industry. Many of the 51-strong all-women team haven’t been on a bike since they were kids, let alone chosen to cycle the 180-mile distance before, but all come at it from a position of camaraderie, friendship, team spirit and more than a little resilience. You don’t get to Paris alone. A huge thank you to our sponsors MUSE, Highgate Transportation, HarleyHaddow, CitiVale, CDA Architects and of course us, Women in Property. You made this possible. Now it’s over to the riders! https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/women-in-property-sweatworking-london-to-paris-2026/ https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/women-in-property-sweatworking-london-to-paris-2026/ Tue, 22 September 2026 10:45:39 https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/are-you-wips-future-national-chair/ Are you a former WiP Branch Chair looking for your next challenge? We are changing things at Women in Property and, as part of our commitment to greater transparency around opportunities within the organisation, we are opening up the National Chair position to our members. The criteria for the role remain the same, but rather than the position being filled through the existing process, we want to give more of our members the opportunity to put themselves forward. We are now seeking our 2028/29 National Chair and invite you to take a look at the role description   here .  If you are interested in applying and meet the criteria, please email Sam McCabe at   nationalchair@womeninproperty.org.uk , attaching:      your CV, including your Women in Property experience      a covering letter explaining why you would like to take on the National Chair role  This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of Women in Property and build on the work of our previous National Chairs. Could it be you? We’d love to hear from you. https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/are-you-wips-future-national-chair/ https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/are-you-wips-future-national-chair/ Tue, 01 September 2026 12:09:02 https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/september/01/becoming-a-wip-mentor/ Anyone can be a mentor; we all have valuable experience which can be of use to another Women in Property member.  Our mentoring programme relies on volunteer mentors, so we ask our members to please consider putting yourself forward. Becoming a Mentor works both ways.  Not only are you ‘giving back’, you are also learning a great deal from the mentee. It is an extremely rewarding experience. “I have found the whole Mentor role to be really valuable, personally.  Through the conversations we have had it has reminded me of my own priorities.”  Hannah Lloyd, Business Development Manager, Built Environment – Smarter Transformation.   The mentoring programme is open to members only.  In order to participate in the scheme, members must attend a training session before they can be matched with a suitable mentee.  If you’re interested in taking the first step towards a rewarding mentoring partnership, register your interest here . https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/september/01/becoming-a-wip-mentor/ https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/september/01/becoming-a-wip-mentor/ Tue, 01 September 2026 09:27:52 https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/building-a-more-inclusive-future-women-in-property-joins-uk-construction-week-birmingham-2026/ Women in Property will join UK Construction Week Birmingham, taking place at the NEC from 29 September to 1 October 2026, bringing its expertise, network and perspective to the conversations shaping the future of the built environment. This year, UK Construction Week Birmingham is centred around The Construction RESET, bringing the industry together to address what needs to change and how construction can respond to the challenges and opportunities ahead. Built around Building Better, Building Smarter and Building Responsibly, the RESET will focus on the practical action, innovation and collaboration needed to create a stronger, more resilient industry. Creating that stronger industry also means ensuring construction can attract, develop and retain talent from across society. Through its nationwide multidisciplinary network, Women in Property supports professional development, knowledge sharing and career progression, while creating opportunities for women across property and construction to connect and build lasting professional relationships. Its partnership with UK Construction Week will bring that perspective into the wider industry conversation, exploring not only the progress already being made, but what meaningful change needs to look like in practice. As part of the programme, Emma Richman, Assistant Director of Strategic Asset Management at Altair and Past National Chair of Women in Property, will take to The Construction RESET Stage on 29 September from 15:00 to 16:15 for the Women in Construction Panel, Meet Up and Networking. Emma will be joined by Desiree Blamey, Managing Director at Considerate Constructors Scheme; Michaela Wain, Managing Director at Design & Build UK and Founder of Women in Construction; and Rashida Rajkotwalla, Director at DWIP Consultants and NAWIC Midlands Co-Chair. Together, they will share their career journeys, practical advice and the lessons that have shaped their paths through the industry. The discussion will consider the opportunities ahead for women in construction, the importance of visible role models and what needs to happen to create a more inclusive sector where talented people can build and progress their careers. The session will go beyond the panel discussion, giving attendees the opportunity to meet other women working across construction and the built environment, strengthen their professional networks and build relationships with peers who are helping to drive change across the sector. Across all three days of UKCW Birmingham, visitors can also meet Women in Property on Stand C98, providing another opportunity to connect with the team, learn more about its network and discover how the organisation supports women throughout their careers in property and construction. With the industry facing significant skills and workforce challenges, building a stronger future for construction requires a broader conversation about who has the opportunity to join, progress and lead within it. The Construction RESET is about turning those conversations into action and bringing together the people and organisations capable of making change happen. Through its partnership with UK Construction Week, Women in Property and its network will be part of that conversation. Register for your free ticket to UK Construction Week Birmingham and join Women in Property at the NEC from 29 September to 1 October 2026. Women in Property privacy notice: This event is not supported by our privacy policy, and you should check the third party’s privacy policy for details on how your data is stored and used. We have not collected any of your data in using the link above and no data held by us has been passed to any third parties. https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/building-a-more-inclusive-future-women-in-property-joins-uk-construction-week-birmingham-2026/ https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/building-a-more-inclusive-future-women-in-property-joins-uk-construction-week-birmingham-2026/ Thu, 27 August 2026 12:27:59 https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/tax-reform-vital-for-real-estate-sector-viability-as-economic-headwinds-persist/ Stacy Eden leads the real estate team at RSM UK. He recently took part in a panel session hosted by Women in Property in partnership with RSM at UKREiiF. The UK real estate sector is in urgent need of government action to boost housing supply and stimulate the market amid a challenging and uncertain economic backdrop caused by the Iran war.   In March, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) downgraded its economic growth forecasts for 2026 from 1.4% to 1.3%, with the ongoing Middle East conflict raising inflation and interest rate expectations for the year. This will only intensify challenges for the UK real estate market, which was already facing significant headwinds such as high levels of taxation, tight regulation, and economic volatility. RSM’s latest Real Estate 360 Report, a survey of over 270 business leaders in real estate, found respondents viewed economic uncertainty and high tax levels as the biggest barriers to investment in real estate. Most respondents said they don’t believe the government can meet its target to build 1.5m new homes by 2029. Despite ongoing planning reforms, the OBR forecasts that cumulative net additions to the UK housing stock will only reach 1.3m by 2029-30, with the ever-increasing cost of development impacting project viability. A recent report from the Home Builders Federation highlighted that the cost of developing a new build home had increased by £76,000 over the last six years, while the average sales price remained consistent at £375,000. Nearly half of this rise is due to tax increases and government regulation.  RSM’s Real Estate 360 survey found clear appetite across the sector for tax reform to help stimulate the housing market. Over a third (33%) of respondents stating that abolition of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) would help improve viability, with increasing skilled workers, further planning reforms and assistance for first time buyers also cited. To address the housing crisis, the government aims to continue speeding up the planning process, but viability constraints remain a key concern for investors. The reduction in the government’s affordable home target in London to 20% of developments, as opposed to 35%, is good news. However, the planning refusal for the proposed development of 867 homes at the Aylesham Centre in Peckham led to Berkeley homes stating developers “can no longer invest in new London”, showing that the issues are far from resolved. In the longer term, sustained economic growth, alongside government support to resolve viability concerns, will be crucial to meet housing targets. Read more RSM’s latest Real Estate 360° report reveals the outlook for the year ahead and analyses the challenges and investment opportunities real estate businesses are facing. Based on a survey of over 250 respondents, it covers key topics including the economic and funding outlook, asset class trends, housing supply and technology. To find out more,  view the report here. https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/tax-reform-vital-for-real-estate-sector-viability-as-economic-headwinds-persist/ https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/tax-reform-vital-for-real-estate-sector-viability-as-economic-headwinds-persist/ Tue, 09 June 2026 10:04:24 https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/the-people-innovation-place-summit-2026/ The second People-Innovation-Place Summit #PIPbyWiP  took place at the Lowry Hotel, Salford on 23rd April 2026  where we explored the theme ‘Inspiring Innovation’  with engaging speakers from the built environment sector and beyond, panel discussions for thinking outside the box and workshops that challenged and enlightened. And, of course, there were lots of opportunity to network, meet old friends and make new contacts. Click here to watch highlights from the day! Our sincere thanks to our headline sponsor CIVIC , Gold sponsors National Landlord Investment Show, SES Engineering Services and SLR Consulting , Silver Sponsor Assured Partners, Breakfast Reception sponsor LUC and Drinks Reception sponsor   WSP  whose support helped make this event possible. The next People-Innovation-Place Summit is already in the planning! It will be held in September 2027 in Oxford , and the PIP Team Thames Valley is busily negotiating the venue, agreeing dates and discussing themes.  We will be announcing all this in the next few weeks so keep your eyes peeled for details via our usual channels – WiP website, email, newsletters, Linked In and Instagram. #PIPbyWiP2027! https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/the-people-innovation-place-summit-2026/ https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/the-people-innovation-place-summit-2026/ Thu, 30 April 2026 15:42:39 https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/meet-women-in-propertys-branch-chairs-2026/ On 1st March we welcomed our new Branch Chairs, who will lead their committees over the next twelve months.   Thank you all! Being on a committee gives you great experience of strategic planning, budgeting, people skills, event organising and coordinating...all important management skills.  Interested in getting involved?   Contact your branch chair to hear more. https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/meet-women-in-propertys-branch-chairs-2026/ https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/meet-women-in-propertys-branch-chairs-2026/ Tue, 03 March 2026 16:54:44 https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/welcoming-our-new-national-chair-sam-mccabe/ We are delighted to announce our new National Chair.  Samantha McCabe, of WSP, takes the role from 1st March, until 28th February 2027.  Sam, who is Passive House Lead UK and Sustainable Buildings Lead Scotland for WSP, is a former WiP Central Scotland branch Chair. Sam, an Australian, lives in Edinburgh.  Awarded Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of the Built Environment from Queensland University of Technology, Sam went on to practice Architecture and Sustainability Consulting, now with WSP UK and Ireland. She says, “This industry is amazing in so many ways, but it still has something of a silo mentality when it comes to how we go about implementing design and construction.  I will be talking about this a lot more through my year as National Chair, under my theme ‘Building more with less’.  We have a fantastic multi-disciplinary network, which is a real USP for Women in Property, and a great opportunity to promote a cross-fertilisation of ideas.” David Healy, Head of Building Services, WSP commented: “Sam’s appointment as National Chair of Women in Property reflects her leadership, expertise and commitment to driving positive change across our industry.  We’re proud to see her take on this influential role and look forward to supporting the impact she’ll make over the year ahead.” Supporting Sam will be National Vice Chair, Charlotte Bayliss, who also took on the role on 1st March.  Charlotte is a former Midlands branch Chair, and is Associate Director of Deloitte Legal, in Birmingham where she specialises in advising investors on acquisitions, disposals, re-financing, development schemes, strategic land transactions and property management matters relating to their portfolios. Together Sam, Charlotte and outgoing National Chair, Emma Richman will form the National Team overseeing Women in Property across the UK.  Initiatives underway this year include WiP’s national conference, the People-Innovation-Place Summit in Salford on 23rd April, which is open to non-members, of all genders; partnership panel discussions at UKREiiF in May, and development of a new Future Industries programme, targeting young people, to encourage more industry entrants from diverse backgrounds. https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/welcoming-our-new-national-chair-sam-mccabe/ https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/welcoming-our-new-national-chair-sam-mccabe/ Mon, 02 March 2026 09:39:32 https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/building-trust-in-property-a-practical-guide-to-dbs-basic-checks/ Introduction Women in Property exists to create opportunities, expand knowledge and inspire change for women working across property and construction, championing an industry where success is built on merit and expertise rather than gender. One of the ways we can all help build a fair, trusted profession is by getting recruitment and vetting right. For many roles, a DBS Basic check can be a sensible, proportionate tool. A Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is a straightforward criminal record check that can support better recruitment decisions in a wide range of roles. This blog from The Disclosure and Barring Service explains what a Basic DBS check is, why they matter in the property sector, who can apply, how the process works, what it costs, and what is disclosed on the certificate. What is a Basic DBS check and when might you use it? A Basic DBS check provides information about an individual’s unspent convictions and conditional cautions, as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. A DBS check is a record of a person’s criminal convictions and cautions, DBS provides checks for people living or working in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Those in Scotland or Northern Ireland usually apply through Disclosure Scotland or AccessNI. A Basic DBS check is the lowest level of DBS check. It shows details of any unspent convictions and conditional cautions held on the Police National Computer, under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If a person has no unspent convictions or conditional cautions, the Basic DBS certificate will state that there is “no information held”. Why Basic DBS checks matter in property Property and construction are trust heavy environments. Many roles involve access to people’s homes, personal information, money, or lone working. Even when a job is not eligible for a higher-level DBS check, employers and clients still want reassurance that sensible steps have been taken. A DBS Basic check can support that reassurance, especially for roles such as: Lettings and property management staff holding keys, arranging viewings, or entering occupied homes Facilities, concierge, caretaking and security roles in residential blocks and mixed use sites Maintenance and repairs teams attending call outs in lived-in properties Customer facing roles handling sensitive data (tenant details, ID documents, financial information) Supplier and contractor onboarding, where you want a consistent baseline check across a supply chain For women working in property, Basic checks can also support the wider culture we are building: clear standards, safer workplaces, and professionalism that is consistent and fair. Used properly, they help organisations manage risk without creating unnecessary barriers for applicants. Who can get a Basic DBS check? DBS checks are very flexible. anyone aged 16 or over can apply for a Basic DBS check for themselves a Basic check can be used for any role or purpose - there is no legislative eligibility test for this level of check, unlike Standard and Enhanced checks a Basic DBS check can be obtained by people living or looking to live and work in England and Wales – including the Isle of Man and Channel Islands This means employers can build Basic DBS checks into their recruitment process wherever they feel it is appropriate and proportionate. For example, roles that involve handling sensitive information, access to money or stock, visiting customers in their homes or working in positions of trust. How do you apply for a Basic DBS check? There are 2 main routes. Individuals applying for themselves Individuals can apply directly to DBS using the online Basic DBS application route on GOV.UK. To use this service, applicants will typically need: a GOV.UK One Login account (or they can create one as part of the process). address history for the last 5 years, including the dates they lived at each address. identity documents, such as a passport or driving licence, and a National Insurance number if they have one. Once the application is submitted and paid for, DBS processes the check and issues an online certificate. Paper certificates can be sent to any address specified by the applicant, including to a 3rd party. Employers requesting checks for staff Employers can: ask applicants to apply for their own Basic DBS check and then share the result. use a Responsible Organisation – an organisation registered with DBS to submit large numbers of Basic checks on behalf of employers – to apply with the applicant’s consent. Responsible Organisations may charge an additional administration fee for managing the process. How much does a Basic DBS check cost? A Basic DBS check currently costs £21.50 for all applicants, including volunteers. Payment can be made online using a debit or credit card, or digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay. Applicants can pay during the application or choose to pay later, for example if an employer is covering the cost via the payment link sent by email. Where employers use a Responsible Organisation, that organisation may charge an extra administration fee on top of the DBS fee. How long does a Basic DBS check take? Basic DBS checks are designed to be quick. on average, it takes around 3 days to process a Basic DBS application, although it can sometimes take longer recent DBS data shows that 88% of Basic DBS checks are completed within 48 hours employers are advised to allow up to around 14 days in case additional checks are needed Once the check is complete, applicants who applied online and do not have conviction information can also view their result online and share it using a secure share code. What information appears on a Basic DBS certificate? A Basic DBS certificate will show: details of any unspent convictions details of any unspent conditional cautions These are defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Act sets out how long different sentences take to become “spent”, which is known as the rehabilitation period . Once a conviction is spent, it is not disclosed on a Basic DBS check. Some more serious offences never become spent. For example, certain serious violent, sexual or terrorism offences listed in Schedule 18 of the Sentencing Act 2020, and sentences given specifically for the protection of the public, will always be disclosed on a Basic DBS certificate. If there are no unspent convictions or conditional cautions, the certificate will clearly state that there is no information held. For full guidance on Basic DBS checks, including the online application route and detailed employer information, visit the DBS pages on GOV.UK. For more information on Basic DBS Checks, please see our detailed guide here. https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/building-trust-in-property-a-practical-guide-to-dbs-basic-checks/ https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2026/building-trust-in-property-a-practical-guide-to-dbs-basic-checks/ Fri, 30 January 2026 11:22:16 https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2025/all-party-parliamentary-group-women-and-work/ Women in Property is an active participant of this cross-party group, which provides a Parliamentary forum to examine constructively and debate the role that policy makers can play to deliver gender balance within the economy. It also allows Members of Parliament and interested stakeholders to examine the responsibilities of employers and to explore what more is required from the private, public and third sectors to deliver the Government's ambitions for women and work. WiP senior team attends both in person at Westminster and virtually, and members can also sign-up to attend on Zoom. National Chair Emma Richman attended in June, to hear from speakers on Entrepreneurship: Breaking barriers for female founders while, most recently, we were thrilled to be invited to give a short presentation on the Building Balance survey and its key outcomes at the session entitled Making industry work for women. Helen James, South West Committee Member, led the discussion with Jennifer Winyard, former National Chair, presided over by APPG Co-Chair Catherine Fookes MP. At the end of this current programme of meetings, the APPG Secretariat will prepare a report that deep-dives into the issues raised across the year, including referencing the Building Balance Survey and our subsequent reports. Our thanks go to Helen James for her ongoing commitment to this piece of work Click here   for further information and links to the APPG reports. https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2025/all-party-parliamentary-group-women-and-work/ https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2025/all-party-parliamentary-group-women-and-work/ Tue, 05 August 2025 15:51:11 https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2025/transformational-funding-announcement-for-social-housing/ Emma Richman, National Chair of Women in Property WiP National Chair, Emma Richman, is Executive Director of Operations at Peaks & Plains Housing Trust. She also holds a board position with another housing association in the North West, is Vice Chair of the Building Safety panel, and sits on the Quality of Existing Homes panel at the National Housing Federation (NHF).  Her nearly 30 years’ experience in the sector makes her eminently qualified to comment on the Chancellor’s recent social housing and affordable homes funding announcement. “Labour’s announcement of £39 billion into social and affordable housing is unprecedented.  It represents a massive increase on the budget set by the previous Government and is a tremendous boost for the sector.  Kate Henderson and her team at the NHF deserve recognition for this.  They have worked incredibly hard and, with the backing of Angela Rayner who grew up in social housing, the Government is now far better informed of the issues faced. The money will be allocated through grants over the next ten years and, as we understand it, the spending will be more regionalised, via the devolved Local Authorities some of which are better established than others, notably Liverpool, Manchester and London. Some clarification is still needed.  For example, will any of this budget be used for regeneration or just additionality?    Previously Homes England would only support new units, but this is a problem if, for example, five new houses are built to replace a block of 20 bedsits, when the numbers are reduced and funding is affected.  However, a lot of the older housing stock is not fit for purpose and often it is better to take them down and replace with new properties that are future-proofed, taking in all the environmental and community benefits available.  Much of this simply can’t be retrofitted in old stock, to a sustainable level.  Some of the new, bigger schemes are built using modular construction, which is fantastic as the more you can build, the greater value you will get.  It doesn’t currently give the same return for smaller schemes. This is particularly important when you consider the demands placed on this sector – all with the best intentions but the pressure on social housing providers is enormous.  There are regulatory and safety requirements, Consumer Standards, Awaab’s Law, and residential rented property must reach EPC C by 2030.  To date, there hasn’t been the money available to implement these very important improvements, but they are critical, so the funding announcement is more than welcome.   Another announcement that will be transformational for the sector is that, for decades, housing associations have suffered from rising costs, but they have had to accept a fixed, low rent.  We can now increase rent by 1% above inflation for the next ten years.  Housing associations work to 30-year business plans, so having this level of certainty for our financial projections gives certainty.  And like the rest of the property and construction industry, certainty is all important, allowing for investment and development in the homes most needed by some of the most disadvantaged in our society. Rent convergence was also part of last week’s announcement.   Some housing associations have extremely low rents, compared with other locations, which puts them at a real disadvantage.  The aim is to bring rents onto a level playing field, across geographical areas.  Levelling this out will be a great help to them, again giving confidence to the sector and its investors.  Collectively, these measures should go a long way towards supporting the Government’s target of building 1.5 million new homes by 2029.” https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2025/transformational-funding-announcement-for-social-housing/ https://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/blog/2025/transformational-funding-announcement-for-social-housing/ Thu, 19 June 2025 14:34:33