Call for more women to enter agency and rest of property industry

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors says more women should enter estate agency and other property sectors across the land and construction sectors as well.

Fewer than a quarter of its student membership is female yet “we're facing the worst skills epidemic in decades” according to regional director Lynn Robinson.

“Unfortunately women only account for just 24 per cent of our student membership. There are equal opportunities for women in the industry but we recognize that one of the biggest obstacles in attracting more talent from under-represented groups is the influencers, such as teachers, parents and careers advisors who are not aware of the vast range of surveying careers available for all” she says.

RICS says it is about to launch our Inspire 2020 programme, which will involve going into schools and talking to children aged 13 to 15 about the roles and opportunities available across all areas of the industry.

Meanwhile in Yorkshire, Gemma Carter has been appointed as branch manager at Dacre, Son & Hartley’s Bramhope office.

Carter joined the company almost 14 years ago and since then has worked across a number of its offices including North Leeds and Guiseley. 

“This is a fantastic opportunity to work in one of the most sought after suburbs of Leeds, selling a vast range of homes, from stylish apartments through to large family homes at a busy time for the market. The Bramhope office already has a fantastic reputation locally and I’m looking forward to building on this further as well as growing our market share in neighbouring Cookridge which is a key objective for us over the coming months” she says.