International Women's Day 2024 will be celebrated on Friday 8 March, and at Fisher German, it not only provides a key moment to reinforce commitment and action for forging women’s equality in the workplace but also allows us to celebrate some of our women's achievements and showcase how we have empowered people to find connection and support. Here we share experiences from women working across the business on the theme ‘inspire inclusion’.
Clare Phillipson, who leads our infrastructure services division is one of our original founding partners. Clare did work experience before university straight from school, looking back to when she first embarked on her career, she said: “There are so many more women in the property industry now than there were when I first joined all those years ago. It was pretty usual to be the only woman at a meeting and I was certainly the only woman wearing PPE out on site!
We now have more females than males joining us as graduates, what is important is to remain focussed on what you want to achieve and that applies to everyone. We all have to make sacrifices of some sort along the way and as a business, we have to recognise that. What is crucial is that you are determined, hardworking, resilient, and supported along the way to be the best you can be.”
Senior Associate, Rosie Theaker works in our rural property management team specialising in estate management and associated professional work. She said: “It’s important that all good professionals, male and female, should be valued for their skill set and ability to do the job and it’s great to be working with an employer who has a reputation for valuing their people on their merits. I work in a team of eleven of which only two are men, we will also be welcoming a new female graduate in September so it’s definitely ‘girl power’ here in Doncaster!
“What’s great is that Fisher German has introduced a whole range of policies to promote a better work-life balance for everyone. The fact that it is accepted that we have commitments outside of work and have an element of flexibility to enable us to fulfil our lives at work and at home is hugely helpful.”
Abi Hicklin, a surveyor in our utilities and infrastructure team said: “Working in infrastructure is a statement on its own, it’s great to see so many women working in this sector and each year more young women join us as graduates and want to work at Fisher German. I think it important that there are opportunities available for women to progress on the pathway to partnership and that part-time job share roles are made available to allow the flexibility of having a successful career and also being able to manage everything outside of work. This doesn’t just apply to women though; I think the flexibility must be offered to men too!
“It is common knowledge that men and women think differently, both having benefits and drawbacks. We need equal amounts of both to achieve the best outcomes and having men and women working at the same level allows a wider more balanced discussion on a range of topics.
Laura Knight, an Associate Partner, heads up our Women’s Forum and is based within our infrastructure services team she said: “I balance a full-time job along with the usual busy out-of-work life chaos that comes with having a young family. It is tough at times, but I feel supported, which makes a huge difference. It's so important that as an employer we ensure ALL of our people, feel that this support is present and available to them.
“We all know that the property industry historically has been male-dominated, which I feel can sometimes mean that attitudes are a little out of touch about how we work in this day and age. Generally speaking, there aren't enough women in senior positions across the industry. I don't understand why this is still the case in 2024, there still seems to be some hesitancy around this. Women and men bring different things to the table which, in my mind, is a vital part of balancing out any conversation.
“There must be mutual trust and respect in the workplace relationship. It’s a two-way thing, it must come from both sides. I can bring my whole self to work because everyone understands we all have good days and bad days and that’s important to me. Having that flexibility means if I have to juggle things to meet other commitments at home, I will always meet expectations at work too. I am inspired by many women that I know who work in the industry. I hope that working together and promoting women into senior positions will inspire our future generations to join the industry.”
Molly Prior also works in our infrastructure team, she told us her experiences of having to put her plans for university on hold at 18 after a family crisis resulted in her becoming the sole guardian of her younger sister, Molly said “Once my sister had completed her A-levels and left for university it felt too late to start my own higher education journey, I chose to relocate across the country to enter the property industry in Central London for 10 years. When I joined Fisher German after receiving a glowing recommendation, I was looking for a fresh challenge.
I think it is important to have women in senior roles as it brings a more diverse perspective and talent. However, businesses must offer flexible working for everyone to enable them to fulfil their responsibilities at home and work.”
Olivia Yates joined us on a summer placement scheme in 2015 and returned as a graduate the following year, she now works in compulsory purchase in our valuations and professional practice team. Olivia also heads up our early careers team, she said: “I think the number of women in the property industry is probably higher than it has ever been. I don't think women are well represented at leadership levels but that's because of the generational shift, more women are coming through the ranks, and I hope that the representation at leadership level is on the cusp of change.”
Olivia believes it is important to share insights on women in senior roles in the business, she added: “Young women want to see the evidence, they need to be able to see the success stories, they need to see the passionate and driven women who are already in the property industry and to understand the opportunities and support that they were given.”
George Simpson, Head of Infrastructure Consultancy said:” The property sector, and surveying in particular, stands out in the professions for its gender imbalance. I think this is a massive, missed opportunity and something we need to address, both as a profession and as a business. As well as the obvious business benefits that come with a more diverse team that is reflective of our clients, it is the right thing to do to support the women in our business to achieve their career goals and influence the future direction of our business.”
Jeremy Phillips, Business Development Director added: “All forms of diversity are vital for any organisation, organisations with a narrow range of thinking, run a risk of ‘so-called ‘blind spots’ occurring which is likely to be detrimental. There are not enough women in senior positions in the property industry and from a professional perspective, a lack of gender diversity at all levels is a significant ‘handbrake’ of the development and growth of any organisation. As the father of a 17-year-old girl just beginning to think about what she might want to do and achieve in her career, all I hope for is that there are no barriers in any organisation she chooses to join to allow her to be the best that she can be.
Trish Wilkins leads our Talent Acquisition function from our Head Office in Ashby-de-la-Zouch. She is part of the wider people team that ensures we attract the right talent and that we strive to make our candidate experience one of the best in the industry. Trish said: “The most important thing for anyone joining us is they feel included and welcome from the moment they engage in the process, we employ people because of their attitude and their ethos and not for their experience alone. We recruit from a very diverse background, so flexibility is hugely important to everyone we employ. What is important to us is that they are hardworking, committed and enjoy coming to work at FG. I’ve loved seeing the company and particularly the Partnership develop into a more diverse team in all areas and look forward to seeing the further growth that we achieve through this”.
For more information about our wide range of roles available, visit our careers page or get in touch with Trish.
