Pathways to property: Stories from female leaders in real estate

On 27 March, Cripps, in collaboration with Women in Property, hosted an inspiring discussion as part of our ongoing female leadership campaign. The event, ‘Pathways to property: Stories from female leaders in real estate’, brought together accomplished female leaders from across the real estate sector to share their personal journeys, career-defining moments, and advice for the next generation of female professionals. The afternoon tea event provided a platform for open discussions, mentorship, and networking, as well as a celebration of the achievements of women in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Meet the speakers

Chair:

• Sandeep Bains (Cripps) – A skilled commercial property solicitor with nearly 20 years of experience. Sandeep specialises in non-contentious transactions, including site acquisitions, disposals, leases, and property finance. She advises a number of London estates, including Cadogan Estates and The Sloane Stanley Estate, and acts for several retail tenants and hotel investment companies, including AccorInvest.

Panellists:

• Eleanor McArdle (Knight Frank) – A Partner in Knight Frank’s London Tenant Representation team, Eleanor specialises in advising office occupiers on their real estate strategy. She started her career at Knight Frank in 2014, completing rotations in Paris Capital Markets and Hotel Valuations before joining the Central London Offices team in 2015.
• Jane MacDiarmid (Grosvenor Property) – As the Belgravia Retail Director at Grosvenor Property UK, Jane is responsible for the creation and delivery of the portfolio strategy for the Estate’s retail districts. She has over 15 years of experience working across London’s most iconic retail destinations, focusing on retail curation and the development of dynamic retail neighbourhoods.
• Helen Cuthbert (Planning Potential) – As the Founder of Planning Potential, Helen has over 20 years of experience in the private sector, promoting development and influencing policy guidance to maximise clarity and ease its application. She works to identify solutions to planning challenges, ensuring that asset managers can make the most of their portfolios.
• Céline Gibert (AccorInvest) – Head of Asset Management UK & BeNeLux at AccorInvest, Céline specialises in hospitality asset management, focusing on hotel transactions, investments, and lease management.

Key takeaways from the discussion

The journey into real estate – unplanned but purposeful

Many of the panellists shared that their entry into the property industry was unplanned. Jane MacDiarmid (Grosvenor) studied geography before taking on a project management role where she fell in love with the people-driven nature of real estate. Eleanor McArdle (Knight Frank) transitioned from residential development to the office sector, drawn by the dynamic interaction with clients from different industries. Helen Cuthbert (Planning Potential) began in planning consultancy, later establishing her own business. Their stories highlight that there is no single path into property, but embracing opportunities and remaining adaptable can lead to fulfilling careers.

Confidence in negotiation is key

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the challenge of navigating male-dominated spaces, particularly in negotiation settings. Eleanor reflected on the challenges she felt early in her career when negotiating with senior men, emphasising the need for mentorship to support younger women. Céline Gibert (AccorInvest) stressed the importance of confidence, advising women to advocate for themselves and ask, “What’s next for me?” when seeking career progression.  She stressed that women should not wait for opportunities to be given to them but should take control and ask for them proactively.

Creating inclusive workplaces for female leadership

Jane shared how Grosvenor has successfully promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion by ensuring leadership roles are genuinely accessible to women. With 7 out of 9 executive board members being female, Grosvenor has implemented progressive policies supporting parental leave, menopause, fertility, and bereavement. The company’s emphasis on support, kindness, and trust has fostered an environment where female talent is nurtured and retained.

Embracing change: Technology and flexible work trends

Eleanor highlighted how emerging trends in property technology (PropTech) are reshaping the industry, offering opportunities for more strategic roles and efficiency gains. She also noted the shifting workplace culture, where rigid office hours are giving way to flexible, results-driven work models that accommodate diverse work styles.

The power of mentorship and coaching

Mentorship was unanimously recognised as a key driver of success. Helen credited her mentor—a woman with a decade more experience—for providing invaluable guidance. However, she emphasised the importance of finding one’s own leadership style rather than simply mirroring a mentor’s approach. Céline also spoke about the role of coaching in her career, which helped her balance efficiency with her desire to be a supportive and approachable leader.

Work-life balance: The myth of ‘having it all’

The panellists acknowledged the immense pressure women face in balancing career aspirations with personal life. Jane shared that while challenging, it is not impossible with the right support systems. Strategies for managing this balance included setting boundaries, prioritising self-care, and leaning on strong professional and personal networks.

Final thoughts

The ‘Pathways to Property’ event underscored the progress being made in real estate while highlighting the work still needed to achieve gender parity.

The key message was clear:

• Women must continue to support and uplift each other.
• We encourage everyone to challenge industry norms, and advocate for inclusivity.
• Through mentorship, confidence, and leadership opportunities, the next generation of female professionals can shape a more diverse and equitable real estate sector.

This event was a testament to the power of shared experiences, and we look forward to continuing these conversations as we strive to create a more inclusive future for all. We’d like to thank Women in Property for their support.

At Cripps, we recently explored the multifaceted barriers that hinder the growth and progression of female leaders within business, and female entrepreneurs looking to grow their own business, offering insights and potential solutions to pave the way for more diverse and inclusive leadership.

View our Beating bias: Fuelling female leadership report.