Breaking Barriers: The Role of Women in PropTech

Lucy Day

Marketing & Communications Executive

10 March 2025

The property industry has long been a male-dominated space, from estate agencies to property management and utilities. But things are changing—and fast. With the rise of property technology (PropTech), there’s a fresh wave of innovation transforming the industry, and women are playing an increasingly vital role in driving this change.

So, where do things stand today? What challenges remain? And how can we make sure the momentum continues? Let’s dive in.

Women in PropTech: A Work in Progress

The good news? The PropTech industry is growing, and with growth comes opportunity. More companies are recognising the value of diversity—not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it drives better results. Research consistently shows that diverse teams perform better, innovate faster, and develop more effective, customer-focused solutions. In fact, companies with diverse management teams have been found to achieve 19% higher innovation revenues. Additionally, diverse teams are 87% better at making decisions, leading to improved performance across the board. These statistics highlight the tangible benefits of fostering diversity and inclusion within organisations—something the PropTech industry must continue to prioritise.

However, while diversity is crucial, it’s important to highlight that racially and ethnically diverse women are even more underrepresented in the sector. Across the UK, they make up just 7.4% of the total property workforce, a stark reminder of the additional challenges they face in breaking into leadership roles. This discrepancy is even more noticeable in senior positions, where they are drastically underrepresented, emphasising that the path to true equality requires both gender and racial diversity

Breaking Barriers: The Reality for Women in PropTech

For many women working in property and technology, the lack of representation at senior levels is still a challenge. While the sector has become more open to change, women still face barriers when it comes to breaking into senior roles and having their voices heard in key decision-making processes.

Rachel Braddick, Managing Director at Helpthemove, believes that representation at all levels is key to creating real change:

“PropTech is revolutionising the property industry, but innovation thrives on diversity. At Helpthemove, we see first-hand how a mix of perspectives leads to better solutions. Encouraging more women into the sector isn’t just about equality—it’s about making the industry stronger and more forward-thinking.”

The shift is happening, albeit slowly. Industry groups like Women in Property and the UK PropTech Association are doing fantastic work to support women in the industry, offering mentorship and networking opportunities to help more women break into the sector and climb the ladder.

Dawn Lee, Product Owner at Helpthemove, shares her perspective:

“Having worked in the property and technology industry for 5 years, I’ve often found myself in very male-dominated environments where support networks for women were limited. It has been a breath of fresh air being surrounded by so many talented and supportive women at Helpthemove, both in my team and across the company. It’s exciting to see more of us making an impact in the industry and I look forward to seeing this progress continue.”

Why Women Are Driving Change in PropTech

Women are making their mark in PropTech, and there are several key reasons behind this growing presence.

Firstly, new skill sets are in demand. PropTech isn’t just about technical ability—it’s about problem-solving, communication, and building relationships. As technology becomes more embedded in the property sector, companies need individuals who can bridge the gap between tech and customer needs. This shift plays to the strengths of many women, who have traditionally excelled in these areas.

Secondly, the rise of flexible working has opened new doors. Remote and hybrid working models have allowed more women to enter and thrive in the PropTech space without the rigid constraints of traditional office environments. This flexibility has helped create a more inclusive workforce, particularly for women balancing careers with family life.

Lastly, female-founded Tech startups are on the rise. More women are stepping into leadership roles and launching their own businesses, proving that innovation thrives in diverse environments. By challenging the status quo and bringing fresh perspectives to the sector, these trailblazers are helping to reshape the industry for the better.

For those working in the technical side of PropTech, the evolution is clear. Hedi van Meurs, Software Engineer at Helpthemove, shares her thoughts:

“Different perspectives are a necessity in tech because they lead to more creative solutions and fewer blind spots. A blind spot can take many forms—from voice recognition struggling with female voices because it was only tested on men, to AI inheriting biases from those who built it. Together, we can build software that benefits the entire population, not just a fraction. This is why the input of women and people from all backgrounds is sorely needed.”

What’s Next?

The next step is to keep building on this momentum by encouraging more female voices at the table. Whether through hiring policies, leadership training, or simply amplifying the contributions of women already in the sector, every step forward helps create lasting change.

At Helpthemove, we’re proud to be leading the way when it comes to diversity in PropTech. 42% of our team is female, nearly double the UK tech industry average of 26%. Even more significantly, 43% of our senior leadership team is female, a stark contrast to many tech and property companies where women remain significantly underrepresented at the top.

As we continue to grow, we’re committed to fostering an inclusive environment where talented individuals—regardless of gender—can thrive and shape the future of the industry. Diversity is a fundamental part of building better technology, stronger teams, and a more innovative sector—one that is being shaped by a diverse group of innovators, leaders, and problem-solvers.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Inspire Inclusion,” highlighting the importance of creating inclusive environments. To find out more about IWD and how you can get involved, visit internationalwomensday.com.

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