Accelerating gender equality for Women in Property

Each year on International Women’s Day (IWD), we reflect on our unique position as a proudly female-owned and led business creating a workplace that works for women.  But today, in 2025, when it feels like the world is moving at a faster pace than we can control, it’s time to recommit to advancing gender equality.

The timely theme of this year’s IWD movement is ‘accelerate action’.  At Monks, we are proud of taking decisive actions that positively impact female empowerment.  For us, gender equality isn’t an aspiration; it’s the foundation of who we are.

A Proudly Female-Owned and Led Business

Monks Estate and Lettings Agents has been owned and led by Patricia Baila and Judy Bourne for over a decade.  With only 13% of estate agencies in the UK female-owned in 2023, Monks is a standout example of what can be achieved but we should not be the exception.

Monks proudly boasts a 100% female senior management team.  This is in stark contrast to an industry survey from 2024 that highlighted 70% of estate agency professionals are men, with 68% of senior roles held by middle-aged men.

A Workplace That Works for Women

At Monks, we are implementing gender equality. We actively ensure that our female staff can progress their careers equally to their male colleagues by removing stigma from part-time roles and non-traditional working hours.

We proudly offer flexible working to all staff with childcare responsibilities, ensuring that talented women don’t have to choose between their careers and their families.  We have a culture of promoting internally based on merit and performance, with opportunities for progression open to all.

We acknowledge the impact of the menopause on working life, providing support and understanding that enables our team to thrive at every stage of their careers. With 20 women and two men employed across the business, Monks is proving that women belong at every level.

Investing in the Next Generation in Property

In 2024, Monks made an intentional decision to offer apprenticeships to young women.  While national apprenticeship data from 2022/23 shows that placements are balanced (51.2% women vs. 48.8% men), male apprentices dominate construction and the built environment roles (92%).

With our strong focus on the New Homes sector, we see estate agency as part of both the construction and service industries. By offering apprenticeships to women, we are playing our part in shifting gender imbalances across multiple sectors.

A Future Where Gender Equality Is the Norm

The UK property sector is evolving, with women now representing around 40% of the workforce. However, senior positions are still disproportionately held by men. Monks is proud to be driving change, demonstrating that an estate agency can be female-led, flexible, and successful—all while supporting women to reach their full potential.

This International Women’s Day, we don’t just celebrate women in property—we are accelerating action to ensure they have the same opportunities, representation, and recognition as their male counterparts.

Read next:  About us  –  Careers with Monks  –  Meet the team