Following four active years on Women in Property’s committee in Bristol, Ros Trotman is looking forward to taking over the reins of the busy regional branch as of March 2019.
Seeking to enhance the profile of women in the property and construction industry, Women in Property brings together professionals from property consultancies, construction companies, architects and designers, developers, housebuilders, engineers, planners, legal and financial specialists.
With nearly 300 members and hosting over 100 events per year, Ros plans to use the vast network to address diversity and the attraction and retention of female talent in the South West. With a current skills shortage in the industry, promoting the property sector as a great career option in schools is also on the organisation’s agenda.
Ros commented “I am delighted to take on the role of chairman for 2019. This year, we want to give back even more to our valued members, supporting them in their career paths and creating inspiring and visible role models for the industry and for the next generation.
“We have seen a wave of successful national campaigns encouraging women to step up, recognise their professional worth and be seen. Building on the success of Women in Property’s initiatives to date, including our mentoring programme and last year’s panel debate training, we want to continue to give our members the guidance and opportunities they need to meet their career goals.
“My message to you, our members new and old, is to #MakeYourMark on your part of the sector – whether it’s by taking that speaking opportunity, making steps towards a promotion or helping to carve out a better path for your current and future female colleagues.”
Property sits at the heart of Thrings and the firm’s recognised commercial property, planning, and construction teams offer extensive experience when it comes to the development, acquisition and disposal of buildings, landlord, tenant and planning matters.
Construction specialist and partner, Natalia Sokolov, and Naomi Butler, associate solicitor in the commercial property team, have been active members in recent years - with Natalia holding the chairmanship from 2015-2016 and Naomi previously acting as joint committee secretary.
Newer members of the committee include planning and environmental solicitor Hannah Mannion, with property litigation solicitor Vanessa Kibble having recently joined the organisation’s Swindon and Wiltshire satellite committee.
Thrings managing partner, Simon Holdsworth commented: "Thrings has been a proud supporter of Women in Property for a number of years now, so we are delighted to see Ros apply her keen industry knowledge to leading this ambitious organisation in the South West.
“Proactive, pragmatic and a dedicated member of Thrings’ Gender Equality Think Tank (GETT), Ros has what it takes to drive change and generate opportunities for women in the property and construction sectors."
Rachael Sherratt, incoming vice-chairman and associate in the project management team at JLL, said: “Having been on the committee for the last three years I am delighted to have the opportunity to step up into the vice-chairman role and support Ros with the plans for a year full of excellent opportunities for our members and the wider property industry. Women in Property is an integral and active network in the South West and I am proud to be part of the work we do to champion diversity and equality.”
For further information on Women in Property, please see the website:
www.womeninproperty.org.uk
