BREAKING BARRIERS:
WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE ROUND TABLE AT NORTHSPRING
For International Women’s Day, we brought together female property professionals for a roundtable discussion exploring the challenges and opportunities facing women in the workplace today.
The conversation was hosted by Solid Ground co-founder, Libby Rush and featured Sophie Weinmann (Senior Director, Head of Surveying, Ashdown Phillips), Helen Brennan (Customer Experience Manager, JPM Real Estate), Rosie Veitch (Chartered Surveyor, Office Agency, Sixteen Real Estate), Marta Bator-Purska (Senior Interior Designer, Workspace Design & Build), and Ciara Dougray (Graduate Surveyor, CBRE). Topics included career progression, hybrid working, the role of office design in shaping the future of work, and how businesses can better support women at every stage of their careers.
The Impact of Flexibility and Hybrid Working
One of the key discussions was around flexibility—how it has evolved post-pandemic and whether hybrid working has improved work-life balance. Sophie Weinmann reflected on this, saying, “I think everyone needs flexibility—it’s not just women, it’s parents, caregivers, and even those without children.”
Helen Brennan echoed this, pointing out that while hybrid working has made balancing responsibilities easier, it has also changed office culture. “We proved we could be productive from anywhere. The challenge now is creating work environments where people actually want to be in the office,”
For Ciara Dougray, who is at the beginning of her career, the office plays a vital role in learning and development. “Flexibility isn’t just about where you work—it’s about creating an environment that supports everyone,” she said. With many young professionals beginning their careers in a post-pandemic landscape, the social and professional benefits of being physically present in the office remain key. She also highlighted the importance of workplace initiatives designed to encourage engagement, such as CBRE’s lunch and learn sessions, mentorship programmes, and group charity events, which foster collaboration and wellbeing.
Yet, while hybrid working has become more widely accepted, some industries still struggle to make it a reality—particularly office agency.
The discussion touched on how the lack of representation creates a cycle. When younger women don’t see mothers in leadership roles, it can make them question whether the career path is sustainable. The solution, the group agreed, is fostering a workplace culture that provides real security for women to return to work after having children, rather than expecting them to adapt to rigid structures that were historically designed without them in mind.
Rosie Veitch highlighted the issue, explaining,
“In agency, there are so few women—especially mothers—and even fewer in leadership roles. The question is, how do we keep women in the industry long-term?”
The Role of Office Design in Supporting Women
Marta Bator-Purska, who leads the interior design team at Workspace Design & Build, spoke about how shifting workplace expectations are reflected in office environments. “Office spaces are changing—there’s more focus on collaboration, wellbeing, and creating welcoming environments. We’re seeing an increase in spaces designed with real people in mind, rather than just desks and meeting rooms We call this new style of design resimercial as it take so much influence from homes.”
This shift also ties into inclusivity—offices that offer facilities such as private spaces for breastfeeding, wellness rooms, or quiet areas for focus work can create a more supportive environment for everyone. The discussion also explored the importance of designing workplaces that encourage interaction, particularly for younger professionals.
Looking Back to Move Forward
Sophie Weinmann and Helen Brennan, both with decades of experience in the industry, shared how they’ve seen the working environment evolve. Helen reflected on the shift from rigid office structures to more flexible working cultures.
“When I started, there was no such thing as hybrid working—it was about visibility, not productivity.
Now, the focus has shifted.”
While improvements have been made, there’s still work to do, Marta added “When I returned from maternity leave, I felt an unspoken expectation that I wouldn’t be the same. But the reality is, I came back just as capable.” Sophie agreed,
“We need to break the assumption that becoming a mother means a step back in your career.”
All agreed that visibility is key—not just of women in leadership, but of supportive policies and working environments that empower them to stay. Sophie pointed out the importance of female role models at senior levels, as seeing women navigate leadership alongside family responsibilities is crucial for inspiring future generations.
The Future of Women in the Workplace
As the conversation wrapped up, the panel reflected on the progress made in recent years and the work still to be done. While hybrid working, evolving office design, and more women in leadership roles are all positive steps, there remains a need to address ingrained cultural expectations.
Rosie Veitch summed up the key challenge:
“It’s not just about getting women into the industry—it’s about keeping them there. That means creating workplaces that offer real flexibility, support, and progression.”
The roundtable reinforced that change is happening, but there’s still a way to go. By continuing to challenge outdated workplace norms, fostering supportive environments, and ensuring that flexibility works for all, businesses can build workplaces that reflect the needs of modern professionals.
A huge thank you to our guests and to Northspring.
A huge thank you to our guests and to Northspring.
