On Thursday 5th March 2026, more than 450 women and men from across the property industry gathered at London’s Shaw Theatre for the fourth consecutive sell-out Women in Estate Agency event. 

For the first and only time, we officially renamed it; Not a Conference. Because after three years of hearing the same feedback, we finally accepted what our community had been telling us all along. What happens in that theatre does not resemble a traditional industry event. It is more raw. More personal. More emotionally charged. And far more fun. 

But more importantly, it matters. 

What It Actually Was 

The day brought together speakers from inside and outside property, each sharing stories that were honest rather than polished. 

Maxine and Darcy Laceby, founders of Absolute Collagen, opened up about building a multi-million pound brand as mother and daughter, balancing ambition with family and scaling without losing themselves in the process. 

Our TED style talks returned under the theme “Mistakes That Made Us”, with Mary Beeton, Managing Director of Hamptons, Natalie Moore, Founder of A Conveyancing, and lettings expert Hannah McCartan each stepping forward to talk not about perfection, but about setbacks, hard lessons and the moments that changed them. 

Rightmove, our headline partner, brought insight and humour through Colleen Babcock’s session on the power of community and moving from transactions to tribes. Sara Cox MBE drew striking parallels between elite sport and leadership under pressure. Monica Collings OBE closed the stage with a powerful reflection on resilience and what she learned through fire. 

In between the keynotes and talks, the room lifted repeatedly. Music, surprise moments, laughter and standing ovations ensured the energy never dipped into predictability. It was immersive. At times emotional. Often joyful. Sometimes both in the same hour. 

And that is exactly why it is not a conference. 

Why It Feels Different 

There are plenty of events in property. Panels. Data decks. Market updates. Networking drinks. WiEA was never created to replicate what already exists. It was created to create visibility. 

To show women at every stage of their career what growth looks like in real life. Not just the polished version. The wins and the wobbles. The ambition and the doubt. The success and the setbacks. Because if you cannot see it, you struggle to believe it is possible. 

Four years in, our Facebook community now connects 5,000 members. That growth is not accidental. It reflects a sector that is ready for something more human. 

More honest conversations about growth. 

More space for women to step forward. 

More visible role models at every level. 

More Than a Moment 

It would be easy to see the event as a brilliant day out. A sell out theatre. A high energy programme. An aftershow party that felt more like a room full of friends than a corporate function. 

But WiEA has always been about what happens after the applause. 

At this year’s event, we relaunched our Charter as the WiEA Partnership Programme, strengthening our commitment to supporting progression and equality across the property sector. We announced new leadership roadshow training dates. We unveiled our collaboration with Agents Together for “Walk for Sarah” in support of Breast Cancer Now. 

And in one of the most moving moments of the day, we introduced the inaugural Spirit of Sarah Award. Created to honour the legacy of founding board member Sarah Edmundson, the award recognises those who embody generosity, integrity and a commitment to lifting others. The first recipient, Emma Redley of Smart Compliance, represents everything this community stands for. Someone who champions others, remembers what matters and quietly makes a difference without seeking recognition. 

That is what makes this more than an event. 

It is infrastructure for change. 

Why This Matters for the Industry 

Estate agency is evolving. Clients expect more. Teams expect more. The next generation expects more. 

Yet women remain underrepresented in leadership across the sector. Progress is happening, but not fast enough. 

Creating one inspiring day does not fix that. But creating visible role models does. Creating networks of support does. Creating leadership training and practical progression pathways does. Creating communities where ambition is normalised and supported does. 

WiEA exists to accelerate that momentum. 

Not through slogans, but through connection. Through training. Through visibility. Through collective accountability. 

What Comes Next 

We are proud of what happened at the Shaw Theatre. But pride is not the end point. 

The Partnership Programme is now live for organisations and individuals who want to actively support equality and progression in our sector. Our leadership training continues across the country. Our community conversations continue online every single day. 

If you were in that room, you felt it. 

If you were not, you can still be part of it. 

Because this was never about one day in March. 

It is about building an industry where more women rise at every level. Where leadership feels accessible. Where ambition is not apologised for. Where community replaces competition. 

This is not a conference. 

It is a movement. 

And we are only just getting started.