The founder of a London property management firm has said that although the industry remains a ‘boys’ club’ in many ways, times are changing and “women are starting to make their mark within the sector”.

These comments, made to coincide with International Women’s Day taking place on 8th March, have been made by Yasmin Ulhaq (main image) who, after working for many years at big estate agencies including Knight Frank, in 2021 established her own prime property management firm, Glenfield Property Management.

“The UK’s property industry has long been perceived as a boys’ club, with many senior positions and board-level roles still being dominated by men,” she says.

“However, slowly but surely, times are changing, a shift is taking place and women are starting to make their mark within the sector.

“Being a woman in this space isn’t just an advantage; it’s a superpower!

“Managing high-stakes relationships, identifying and solving problems before they arise, and bringing a level of finesse to property management are the things that set women apart from our male counterparts.

“As we continue to see more women in leadership roles across the property sector, this will reinforce my belief that there is a place for everyone to thrive and succeed across the industry, from entry-level positions right up to the board.

“The sector is evolving, and women are leading the way, one penthouse at a time.”

Executive positions

Her comments have been echoed by another high-profile woman working in the industry, Helena Moyas de Forton, MD of EMEA  and APAC at Christie’s International Real Estate.

Moyas de Forton says she’s encouraged that more women than ever before hold executive positions, are more visible, and influence decisions that impact our industry and communities.

“I’m proud to work at Christie’s International Real Estate, where a significant number of our leaders are women,” she says.

“But as we move forward, there is still much work to be done. Women remain underrepresented in the highest levels of leadership, occupying only a fraction of C-suite roles and board positions at property companies in the UK and around the world.

“This gap highlights the need for continued advocacy and mentorship to ensure women are well-represented in the top echelon of the industry.

“This International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate how far we’ve come and commit to creating pathways for women leaders, to build a future where property leadership truly reflects the diversity and strength of the communities we serve.”

Read more: ‘More women should be speaking at property conferences’