International Women’s Day: Celebrating in 2026

International Women’s Day is a global annual event that celebrates the achievements of women, highlights the importance of gender equality, and calls on organisations and individuals to continue driving positive change. Together, we can create a future where all women in our industry are empowered, supported and set up to thrive.

At The Guild of Property Professionals, we’re proud to champion women across property - from agency leadership and business ownership, to operations, strategy and front-line customer service. This year, we asked Members and colleagues to share their most valuable advice on what they’d tell their younger selves, alongside how The Guild inspires and lifts them.

What is one piece of advice you would give your younger self?

Tanya Pearson, Senior Account Manager at The Guild, would advise her younger self to “Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to take up space—you’ve got this!”

Philipa Legg, Chief Operating Officer for The Guild believes it’s important to “Trust yourself more. You do not need to have everything figured out to move forward - confidence grows through action. Stand firm in your ambitions and remember that strength, intelligence, and resilience are powerful qualities, not things to soften.”

“Be unapologetically you. When you’re younger, you spend so much time trying to fit in and worrying about what other people think. As you grow, you realise that confidence doesn’t come from blending in, it comes from knowing exactly who you are.” Emily James from James Dean goes on to say, “Not everyone will like you and that’s okay. You will find your people. What matters most is staying true to yourself and never shrinking to make others more comfortable. As long as you lead with kindness, it’s okay to take up space.”

Maria Morgan-Geen, Managing Director of Platinum Properties, says, “Have the confidence to trust your instincts, make thoughtful choices, and stand by them. The energy spent worrying about outside perceptions is far better invested in personal growth, meaningful relationships and pursuing what genuinely matters to you.”

Rachel Hines of Lumley Estates reminds us to focus on what matters: “When things seem a little overwhelming, take a breath and look at the bigger picture! Don’t stress about the little things.

“Protect your peace earlier,” Julie McCrory, Company Director of Kingham Property Specialists advises, adding, “If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: You do not have to be available to everyone to be successful. When I started my estate agency back in 2006, I was hungry, driven, and determined to prove myself. I answered calls at all hours. I replied to emails late at night. I bent over backwards for every client because I thought that’s what good business owners did. And for a long time, I believed the hustle was the badge of honour. But then I became a mum.” Julie reflects on how this changed things for her, “ Everything shifted. Suddenly, time wasn’t just time anymore — it was bath time, story time, school runs, cuddles, and moments I’ll never get back. I realised something I wish I’d understood years earlier: Success means nothing if it costs you your family. Now, I am fiercely protective of boundaries. We work a four-day week. We are flexible. We are present for our families. I do not answer calls or emails outside working hours — and I don’t expect my team to either. If it can wait until tomorrow, it waits. The world doesn’t fall apart. And here’s something else I’ve learned — not every client is meant for you. If we don’t gel in those first meetings, I won’t force it anymore. The wrong fit drains your energy, your team, and your peace. No fee is worth constant friction. I’ve learned that protecting your time is protecting your life. To my younger self — and to any woman building a business while raising babies — boundaries are not selfish. They are necessary. They make you a better leader, a better employer, and a better mum.” She goes on to say, “You can be ambitious and present. You can be successful and peaceful. You can say no — and still thrive. And I wish I’d known that sooner.”

Vanessa Williams, Lettings Office Manager of Webbers, comments: “I would tell my younger self to travel more, take risks, celebrate every win… and never forget that cake is for every occasion!!”

Jennifer Hartburn, Director of Harrington Brown,shares some simple but important words: “Stay strong, be fearless, and never let anyone dull your sparkle.”

Sabrina Lam of Drivers & Norris reflects on her experience of moving abroad, “Moving to a new country to begin your career will feel daunting at times, but it will also help you grow in ways you cannot yet imagine. Be patient with yourself, stay curious, and trust that your unique perspective is something to be proud of. You are capable of more than you think.”

Kate Ellery, Property Manager at Brock Taylor, shares, “You need the hard days to really value the good ones. Stay steady, back yourself, and don’t give up when it feels uncomfortable.”

At Belgarum Estate Agents, the importance of knowing your self-worth is a prominent factor.

Amanda Watts, Property Manager, says, “Never search for your happiness in others, it will only make you feel alone. Search for it within yourself. You will feel happy even when you are left alone.”

Vicky Childs, Sales Progressor, comments, “You are good enough.” 

Whilst Lettings Administrator, Sara Bruce, adds, “Never compromise yourself, you are all that you have.”

At Parkes & Pearn, Directors Sophie Lang and Charlotte Rayner believe in truly investing in yourself. Sophie shares “Stop worrying about what people think. You don’t need everyone’s approval. Back yourself and make decisions based on what’s right for you and your family. People will always have opinions, but they are not the ones living your life. You are.” 

Charlotte comments, “The advice I’d give my younger self is this: when things feel tough and the future looks uncertain, keep going. Challenges don’t last forever, and consistency matters more than perfection. Hard work, dedication, and having the courage to step outside your comfort zone will open doors you didn’t even know existed. And keep investing in your education — knowledge is key, and every new skill you build creates new opportunities.”

Reflecting on her personal and professional journey, Aleksandra Love, Account Manager at The Guild, adds: “You're going to have everything you've wanted and you're going to be a self-sufficient woman, working hard to realise her own dreams - not when others grant them for you. Hold onto your softness, your femininity is a wonderful thing - look after yourself holistically. Career ladder climbing can be hard on you.” 

Katie Griffin of Sawdye & Harris would tell her younger self three things, “1) Stop waiting to feel confident. Confidence comes from action — say yes, learn fast, adjust and keep going. 2) You don’t have to prove yourself to everyone. Do the work well, be kind and stay consistent. The right people will notice. 3) Your reputation is your greatest asset. Protect it. Choose integrity over quick wins — always.”

Michelle Cook, Managing Director of Cook Residential, advises to, "Live your life and chase your dreams, but understand that they require real work. Success isn’t a 9–5 mindset. It’s going above and beyond, especially when no one is watching. There will be late nights, tough decisions, and moments where you question everything, but there will also be incredible highs. Embrace all of it. Trust your gut. Make decisions confidently and don’t be afraid to move quickly when you need to. Not every decision will be perfect, but standing still is often the bigger risk. Plan ahead. Always think at least six months in front of where you are now. Stay calm, think strategically, and don’t let short-term emotion dictate long-term direction. Most importantly, enjoy the journey. The hard work will pay off, but only if you remember why you started in the first place. And when it feels heavy, remember: no one else will fully understand the weight you carry as the business owner, but you are capable of more than you think. Keep going.”

“My advice to my younger self would be trust your own intuition and not fear in any mistakes you make as nobody is perfect,” Lynsey Hart of Bensons shares.

“Every rejection is redirection,” Olivia Wright, Social Media and PR Executive at The Guild, believes. “Take every opportunity that comes your way and mould it to suit your own path. The most successful path is the one that leads you far from your comfort zone.”

How does The Guild inspire you?

“To me, leadership is about creating space for others to grow. It’s about listening, supporting, and being authentic, not just having a title. The best leaders I’ve worked with are the ones who build trust, encourage confidence, and bring out the best in others,” Kim Rush, Operations Manager at The Guild, says. “Working across The Guild and Fine & Country, has really highlighted this for me. We’re in a traditionally male-led industry, so having a senior management team with more women than men feels genuinely meaningful. It’s motivating to be part of a business where women are supported, encouraged, and able to play an active role in shaping the future.I really enjoyed attending my first Women in Estate Agency conference in March. The fact it even exists feels like progress in itself, and I love seeing how much space is now being created for women to connect, learn, and lead within our industry. Being surrounded by so many strong women makes it clear that leadership isn’t about a title, it’s about impact, influence, and how you support others.”

Philipa Legg adds, “It is not about celebrating women once a year - it is about supporting, championing, and empowering each other every day. The Guild is a powerful example of this, and it is incredibly inspiring to see so many women thriving, leading, and accelerating change across our industry.”

Tanya Pearson shares, “It’s amazing to see women thriving in property, supporting each other, and breaking barriers. The Guild shows that when women lift each other up, we all rise higher—and that’s truly empowering.” 

Rachel Kittow, Marketing Manager of The Guild, says she feels “Incredibly fortunate to work alongside such an outstanding group of women at The Guild. I’m surrounded by creative, ambitious, considered, and strong individuals. Together, we work hard, we show up and stand up for what we believe in every day. I'm proud to be part of this team.”

Aleksandra Love explains how “The Guild empowers women from its' core - we have many women working within our business and we're empowered and our ideas upheld by the men within the business that support us, our National Advisory Council is balanced by female presence and input. That same respect cascades down to the Guild Members that we look after and we genuinely cheer on and we ALL wish every success to our Guild Members regardless of gender.”

Katie Griffin comments: “Through organisations such as The Guild of Property Professionals, networking and friendship - we are reminded that success is not built in isolation. When we share knowledge, support one another and uphold high professional standards, we don’t just strengthen our businesses — we strengthen each other.”

Olivia Wright says she is “fortunate to work amongst so many headstrong women within The Guild that share the same drive and purpose.”

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