The Women in Estate Agency “NOT a Conference” continues to hold a unique place in the property industry calendar.

Yes, it’s an event attended largely by estate and letting agents. But in truth, it’s rarely about agency itself. And that’s exactly what makes it so powerful.

Once again, WIEA managed to create a day that was about something much bigger than deals, pipelines or legislation. It was about people, perspective and purpose - the things that actually shape the careers, businesses and culture of our industry. And this year was no exception.

An Industry Event That Isn’t Really About the Industry

What makes WIEA different is that it doesn’t try to be another industry conference.

There are no endless panels about compliance. No sales tactics dressed up as thought leadership. No PowerPoint-heavy sessions about the market outlook. Instead, the focus is on people - how we think, how we lead, how we support each other and how we push forward as individuals and as an industry.

This year’s talks moved slightly away from some of the more terrifying life experiences that have featured in previous years, but the underlying message was just as powerful.

Across the day, a set of themes kept resurfacing:

Be authentic
Find your tribe
Call out what needs calling out
Pursue the path you believe in
And don’t let anyone - including yourself - tell you no

The energy in the room reflected that message. Neon roller artists, hoop performers, breakdancers and even a diva drag queen helped ensure the smiles and energy never dipped. It was vibrant, uplifting and unapologetically positive - exactly what our industry sometimes needs.

Balance, Trust and Building Something Together

One of my favourite sessions of the day came from the founders of Absolute Collagen. What struck me most was the dynamic between the mother and daughter behind the business. Their “yin and yang” partnership - balancing different strengths, perspectives and personalities - felt incredibly authentic.

It immediately reminded me of my own partnership with An.

Anyone who has built a business with someone else knows how critical that balance is. Trusting each other, leaning into your respective strengths and staying honest about the journey makes all the difference.

What I also admired was their commitment to quality and science in a market where many competitors are producing back-of-the-napkin replicas just to chase market share.

Long-term success rarely comes from shortcuts.

On a personal level, it also sparked something else for me. I’d love to build ventures with my own children as they grow up. In fact, my daughter Elvi is already showing signs of that entrepreneurial spirit - she’s currently creating characters for what she hopes will become a line of clothing and merchandise.

Clearly, entrepreneurship starts young.

Joy Isn’t Fluff - It’s Physics

Another standout session came from Ali Mortimer, who absolutely blew my socks off. It was energetic, engaging and genuinely thought-provoking. But what really stuck with me was her reframing of something I’ve believed for a long time.

As Ali put it: “Joy isn’t fluff and nonsense - it’s fucking physics.”

For years I’ve approached work and life with a smile and a sense of optimism. Anyone who knows me knows I tackle both with energy and positivity. It’s always felt a bit like a life hack.

But hearing Ali break down the science behind it - how joy, mindset and energy influence performance, creativity and resilience - was incredibly validating. In other words, choosing joy isn’t naïve. It’s actually smart.

Ignoring the Naysayers

The final talk that really stuck with me came from referee Sara Cox. Her story was powerful and refreshingly straightforward.

Pick a path.

Commit to it.

Ignore the noise.

Sara spoke about pursuing her passion despite criticism, doubt and the inevitable hurdles that come with challenging established norms. And she didn’t just succeed - she went further than many thought possible while leaving a path behind for others to follow. That’s leadership in its purest form.

Her journey is a powerful reminder that progress doesn’t just happen through policy or intention. It happens when individuals refuse to accept the limitations others try to place on them.

Progress Is Happening - But Not Fast Enough

Alongside the talks themselves, there was a broader message running through the day.

Things are improving. Women across the property industry are increasingly finding their voice, defining their own paths and building supportive communities around them.

But the pace of change still needs to accelerate.

The conversations happening at WIEA events - about leadership, culture and equality - shouldn’t only exist once a year. They should shape the everyday behaviours of our businesses.

Encouragingly, another shift is happening alongside that.

More men in the industry are learning how to better empower the women in their lives - both at work and at home. That means listening more, creating opportunities and supporting environments where talent can thrive. Progress requires everyone.

Continuing Our Commitment to WIEA

At Depositary and Base, supporting WIEA isn’t a symbolic gesture - it’s something we genuinely believe in.

We were proud signatories of the original WIEA Charter and when the new WIEA Partnership Programme launched at this year’s event, we didn’t hesitate. Both businesses signed up on the spot.

For us, the decision was simple. Initiatives like this are good for our teams, good for our businesses and good for the industry we’re helping to shape.

Letting Our Hair Down

Of course, no WIEA event would be complete without the after party. It probably surprised absolutely no one that Depositary stepped in to sponsor it this year.

After months of planning and an incredibly full day of talks, the evening was the perfect opportunity for everyone to unwind, reflect on the day and celebrate the community WIEA has built.

The DJ nailed it, the photo booth produced some incredible snaps and Dickie Beaux was an absolute delight.

While the glitter prosecco might not have looked quite as spectacular as hoped, the atmosphere more than made up for it.

What made the evening truly special was seeing the entire WIEA ecosystem - from the board and ambassadors through to the attendees - relaxing together after another incredible event.

Those moments matter. Because the best industries aren’t just built through work - they’re built through community.

Why WIEA Matters

Events like this matter because they remind us that our industry is about far more than property transactions.

It’s about people. It’s about culture.

And it’s about creating environments where everyone has the confidence and support to pursue the path they believe in.

The message from this year’s event was clear: be authentic, find your tribe, call out what needs calling out and go after the things that matter to you.

If you work in lettings and haven’t experienced a WIEA event yet, you’re missing something genuinely special.

And if the energy, conversations and dancing from this year are anything to go by, the movement behind it is only getting stronger.

WIEA ‘NOT a Conference’: Joy, Authenticity and Why Our Industry Needs More Days Like This