Women
In
Property
Empowering & supporting women working in the property world
The Gender Jaws
Simon Leadbetter - Estate Agents Today
Published 28th December 2023
The estate agency industry is being urged to do more to tackle the issue of gender jaws, it has been warned. The gender jaws term, coined by gender balance expert Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, refers to the widening gender gap as you progress to higher levels of management.
A study by unchained.marketing comparing gender balance across various industries, has found this issue is particularly prevalent in the real estate industry.
The study reveals a significant disparity in gender representation across different levels of management in both the real estate industry and across all industries.
While the real estate sector shows a more pronounced female presence at the non-management level (71% women vs. 29% men), this balance shifts further up the corporate ladder.
Women constitute only 32% of people at board level compared with 68% representation by men. In a recent analysis of major listed estate agency brands, 75% of the board were men and only 25% women, suggesting the 'jaws' problem is greatest in the largest business, the research suggests.
In comparison, all industries combined present a less skewed yet still concerning picture. Women make up 57% at the non-management level, but their representation decreases to 40% in senior management and at the board level.
The data underscores the urgent need for effective gender balance strategies in the workplace. As the industry grapples with these challenges, the role of gender bilingualism becomes ever more crucial. Understanding and valuing gender differences and leveraging them for organisational success is a social responsibility and a strategic imperative.
My Reflections on The Gender Jaws
The Gender Jaws are still highly prevalent in estate agencies today. The underrepresentation of women in senior positions within estate agencies persists due to systemic barriers and cultural biases.
Traditionally, the industry has been dominated by an "old boys' network, where established connections and pre-existing relationships often favour men in climbing the career ladder.
Moreover, societal expectations and stereotypes might deter women from actively pursuing these roles due to a lack of encouragement, self-doubt, or concerns about work-life balance.
However, studies consistently demonstrate that companies benefit significantly from diverse leadership, and when women do ascend to senior positions, there's a marked increase in profitability and innovative thinking. Encouraging women to step forward, actively challenging biases, and implementing inclusive policies are crucial steps toward rectifying this imbalance and harnessing the industry's full potential.
Statistics
25%
Recent analysis, conducted by Simon Leadbetter, of major listed estate agency brands, identified that 75% of the board were men and
only 25% women
25%
Companies in the top quartile for executive gender diversity were 25% more likely to generate greater profits
30%
Companies with more than 30% women executives are more likely to outperform those with
fewer or none at all
Dear Sirs
The "Dear Sirs" campaign, spearheaded by Ellie Rees, represents an audacious call-to-action against deeply ingrained sexism within the legal and property professions. This transformative initiative challenges the archaic and exclusionary practice of addressing communications with a gender-specific salutation. Ellie's impassioned drive aims to shatter this norm, advocating for a more inclusive and representative approach in correspondence. By urging the industry to adopt gender-neutral language, the campaign endeavors to break barriers, fostering a more equitable and diverse environment. Through relentless advocacy and a rallying cry for change, the campaign strives to pave the way for a future where all individuals are acknowledged and respected, irrespective of gender.
Women In Property
Angharad Trueman
It’s long been a frustration of mine that many podcast owners, press publications and those
responsible for running property conferences across the UK, state it is often difficult to get women
to speak on the subject of property.
As a result, the gender balance for panels and conference line ups is often far from equal. Its time
this changed. With the creation of this list, this excuse for a lack of equal weighting between men
and women is banished. Our valuable viewpoint is different to our male counterparts, its
important we have a chance to provide it.
This list has been created from a LinkedIn post and the tagging of many brilliant women in our
Property industry. You can contact them all on LinkedIn to hear their viewpoint in future.
Let us never hear the words ‘there weren’t any women’ to talk on this property subject ever again.