Women in Property, the UK-wide professional organisation dedicated to supporting women in the property and construction sectors, marked its successful return to Northern Ireland with a networking event held at the Merchant Hotel in association with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Northern Ireland, sponsored by Eversheds Sutherland and Wilson Nesbitt.
The property and construction industry has long been challenged with a significant gender imbalance, with women comprising only 15% of the workforce. Established in 1987 to provide support and networking opportunities for women in the industry, Women in Property has evolved over the past three-plus decades into a pivotal advocate for diversity and inclusion. With 14 branches across the UK, the Northern Ireland satellite of the network was originally launched in late 2018, but the dwindling of membership during the Covid pandemic saw the branch successfully relaunch in May 2024.
Women in Property’s initiatives include Schools Outreach programmes aimed at introducing girls and boys from disadvantaged backgrounds to career opportunities in property and construction, a renowned cross-discipline mentoring programme, participation in the All Party Parliamentary Group for Women and Work, and influencing business to encourage a greater awareness of diversity and inclusion across business culture.
At the event, Women in Property marked a successful first summer back in operation in Northern Ireland, with four events held since the group’s relaunch and a broad, growing membership across the construction and property sectors.
Nuala Maguire, Chair of the Belfast Women in Property group and Of Counsel in the Construction and Projects Team at Eversheds Sutherland, said:
“Although we are still in the early stages of adding to the membership of the Women in Property branch in Belfast, it is important to mark the successes we have so far this year in relaunching the branch. It has been an honour to chair the group throughout the year and to watch women from all across the industry coming together.
“To have undertaken the role as Chair and been supported by my own employers, Eversheds Sutherland, and had a colleague on the committee in Corrina Cassidy has made the experience all the more rewarding.
Corrina Cassidy, Committee Member, Women in Property, and Senior Associate in Real Estate at Eversheds Sutherland, said:
“As we grow the NI branch of this fantastic group and rollout an extensive programme of events aimed at ensuring that women in the sector are both represented and protected, we would encourage any and all women in the industry to get involved. Details of our next and final event of 2024 will be released on the usual social platforms shortly and we look forward to welcoming as many women from across the industry as possible.
“We are also looking forward to launching the Women in Property National Student Awards in Northern Ireland next year. These awards seek out the best Built Environment degree students, highlighting to industry the necessity to link with universities early in the education process and also improve the students’ knowledge of the career options available to them. Many secure work placements as a direct result of competing in the awards, which often translate into permanent positions upon graduation.”