Local homebuilder, Barratt Developments Yorkshire West is encouraging more women to consider a career in the industry by sponsoring this year’s Women in Property’s festive networking event, which took place at Harvey Nichols in Leeds this month.

As part of its dedication to diversity in the construction industry, Barratt Developments Yorkshire West contributed £1,500 to sponsor the annual networking event, which was arranged by the homebuilder’s Senior Strategic Land Manager, Jennifer Winyard. The Christmas event attracted over 150 male and female property and construction professionals including surveyors, town planners, architects, engineers, interior designers, construction managers and property lawyers.

Jennifer is a former Chairman for Women in Property in Yorkshire and the North East and the current mentoring coordinator. Her role as Senior Strategic Land Manager at Barratt Developments Yorkshire West sees her identifying land opportunities across West and South Yorkshire and leading the promotion of sites and multi-disciplinary teams to secure planning consent for residential developments.

Women in Property is an organisation dedicated to helping create opportunities and inspire change for women working in the property and construction industry through networking and mentoring. Jennifer, who has been a member of the group for 15 years, oversees the mentoring programme by matching women from different backgrounds and encouraging them to work together. The initiative sees members from a range of sectors, from interior design to property law.

Jennifer commented: “Women in Property is delighted that Barratt Developments chose to sponsor this year’s Christmas networking event. It’s fantastic to see one of Britain’s leading homebuilders commit to our cause and it’s significant for our audience to see that. This year’s networking event was an excellent opportunity for both women and men within the property and construction industry to come together to raise the profile of women working within the sector. Of this year’s attendees, about 80% were non-members which suggests more people are interested in supporting women in the property industry. It was fantastic to welcome so many people to the event and we look forward to seeing more women expand their careers within the industry.”

Darren Johnson, Construction Director of Barratt Developments Yorkshire West commented: “We’re proud to support Women in Property and to have sponsored it’s Christmas event this month. Barratt Developments is dedicated to working with the very best talent in order to deliver local homes for local people across West and South Yorkshire. We hope that this sponsorship will increase awareness of the opportunities available within the industry and encourage more women to consider the numerous career paths that are available in property and construction.”

For more information about Barratt Homes Yorkshire West please visit www.barratthomes.co.uk. For more information on David Wilson Homes Yorkshire West please visit www.dwh.co.uk