Women in Property has appointed a new Chairman for the South West, Ros Trotman, an expert in planning matters at commercial law firm Thrings.
Ros has been on the Women in Property committee in Bristol for four years, and is looking forward to taking over the reins of the busy regional branch. With nearly 300 members and hosting over 100 events per year, Ros intends to use the breadth of this network to address diversity and the attraction and retention of female talent.
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. With the current skills shortage in the industry, raising the profile of the property sector as a great career option to youngsters in schools is also very much part of our organisation’s remit.
“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, a Top 100 law firm with offices in Bristol, Bath, Swindon, London and Romsey. The firm’s recognised property, planning, and construction teams offer extensive experience when it comes to development, acquisition and disposal of buildings, landlord, tenant and planning matters. 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.”
