Property head aims to ‘redress balance’

Ms Fawcett is head of facilities management for the North at Mitie, a business headed by the UK’s first female, Asian FTSE 250 CEO, Ruby McGregor-Smith.

Ms Fawcett, who has been a member of Women in Property for eight years and was chairman of the Yorkshire and North East branch in 2010, said she wants to take steps to “redress the balance” in the property and construction industry.

She said: “Women represent only 15 per cent of the property and construction industry workforce.

“The Association of Women in Property seeks to enhance the profile of women in this sector, both by providing a dynamic forum for women in these professions and by encouraging and nurturing aspiring talent.”

Ms Fawcett said that Yorkshire is “holding its own in terms of investment and development” and welcomed the completion of the Leeds Arena and retail development Trinity Leeds.

Heather Jackson, CEO of Leeds-based An Inspirational Journey, which aims to address the underrepresentation of women at a senior corporate level, said: “It’s great to see women being appointed into positions where they can really make a difference to supporting and retaining talent, especially in industries where female representation has been lacking.

“We also need more women like Julie as role models to advocate the need for balance in business across all sectors.”

Women in Property, which has just celebrated its 25th anniversary, was previously chaired by Lesley-Anne Avis, real estate partner at law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner.