CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2026 WINNERS 

Chithra Marsh has consistently put community, communication and social value at the heart of everything she does professionally.

Chithra has also been instrumental in ensuring that the culture of the organisations she has worked in reflects all of those values that Chithra has lived and worked by co-founding transformative initiatives around EDI, social value and health and wellbeing. But Chithra hasn’t just gone above and beyond within paid employment. Chithra’s commitment to helping the industry become better representative of the communities it serves has seen Chithra take up and give Chithra’s all to numerous voluntary roles over the years with organisations including Women in Property, which Chithra has chaired, and RIBA on both the Regional and National Councils and as co-chair of the North West EDI Committee.

For the past 15 years, Chithra has also been a strategic ambassador for PLACED, a social enterprise specialising in place education and engagement, and more recently Chithra has also become a supporter and mentor with the Future of Greater Manchester and the Diverse Voices programme.

Emily Miller is an exceptional leader who combines market-leading commercial performance with authentic, inclusive people leadership. Her hands-on approach, commitment to diversity and talent development, and proven ability to build trust have delivered outstanding business and team growth. The powerful testimonials demonstrate her lasting impact on careers, confidence and success.

Alexandra Conway is a bold, transformative leader who consistently delivers meaningful value while navigating complex challenges. Her innovative approach, strong commercial impact and commitment to social value set her apart. The breadth of colleague testimonials reinforces her ability to inspire others, while her projects demonstrate a powerful, lasting impact beyond business performance.

Chloe Llewellin is an outstanding example of resilience, leadership and determination. Her inspiring career journey demonstrates how she has overcome challenges and setbacks while continuing to thrive and lead. Her commitment to the industry, including her role with Women in Property, further highlights her proactive approach, influence and dedication to supporting others.

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Jess Tovey is a standout rising star, combining strong commercial performance with inspiring leadership and influence beyond her core role. Her commitment to diversity, inclusion, mentoring and industry networks demonstrates a genuine passion for supporting others. The strength of her testimonials, breadth of responsibility and clear leadership potential make her highly deserving of recognition.

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Nicola Boone is an inspiring leader whose impact reaches far beyond her day-to-day role. Her commitment to improving experiences for colleagues, championing working parents and driving positive change is truly impressive. A respected and motivational advocate, Nicola leads by example, balancing outstanding performance with initiatives that make a meaningful difference across her business.

Amaran has made an outstanding and inspiring contribution to EDI at Indurent. Her passion, leadership and commitment have created meaningful cultural change, from building an inclusive framework to increasing engagement and participation. The measurable results speak volumes, while her continued plans show real momentum. A truly deserving finalist and an excellent example of impactful, authentic leadership.

Nicola Free is an exceptional and highly credible leader, combining transformational commercial leadership with measurable progress in diversity and inclusion. Her work on gender representation, sponsorship, succession planning and menopause support demonstrates meaningful, lasting impact. Backed by powerful testimonials, Nicola is a standout role model whose influence extends across her organisation and the wider sector.

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Emma Bolton demonstrates exceptional people-focused leadership, combining strategic delivery with genuine compassion, inclusion and a strong commitment to developing others. Her leadership through the Sewell Advisory merger, dedication to social mobility and mentoring, and clear public-sector impact are particularly impressive. Supported by powerful testimonials, Emma is a credible and inspiring role model.

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Sophie has delivered an exceptional innovation submission, combining visionary thinking with practical, measurable impact. Her creation of a new operating model tackles complex societal and industry challenges while delivering impressive results, including reduced reoffending and a scalable housing pipeline. Strong stakeholder engagement, compelling financial outcomes and outstanding testimonials make this a truly deserving entry.

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Lily Nguyen is a true unsung hero, demonstrating exceptional breadth, initiative and reliability across her work. Her ability to identify challenges, step up and find effective solutions makes a meaningful difference to those around her. Supported by strong testimonials, Lily’s contribution and impact clearly extend well beyond her core responsibilities.

Rita Correia is an innovative and bold leader who has transformed the customer and resident experience through digital innovation. Her work has delivered clear commercial and customer impact, while overcoming significant challenges. Strong testimonials across the business demonstrate Rita’s ambition, passion and influence, making her a standout example of meaningful, measurable transformation.

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Alan is a highly credible and authentic champion of male allyship, using his senior position to drive meaningful progress in gender equity and inclusion. His commitment to female progression, sponsorship and psychological safety is backed by strong testimonials and measurable goals, demonstrating visible leadership and a genuine commitment to lasting organisational change.

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Dominique Murray has delivered a very strong and persuasive submission, demonstrating clear evidence of broad positive impact during the judging period. The well-structured entry highlights meaningful achievements and a strong contribution to the business and wider sector. A highly credible and deserving entry with a clear record of positive impact.

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Fiona Pare brings a genuinely inspiring personal story and a fresh, client-focused approach to the property and renovation sector. Through Queensdale, she is helping to make a traditionally opaque industry more accessible, flexible and approachable for modern homeowners. Her empathy, innovation and commitment to supporting clients make her a compelling role model.

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Amy Lawson is an inspirational leader who combines strong commercial awareness with genuine empathy and compassion to create meaningful social impact. Her achievements demonstrate how large organisations can deliver positive change while remaining focused on customers and communities. Powerful testimonials and resident feedback highlight Amy’s authentic leadership and commitment to making a difference.

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Emma Rees has demonstrated highly impactful leadership in a challenging and complex environment. Her creativity, resilience and ability to navigate significant political, economic and stakeholder challenges truly stand out. A strong and inspiring example of leadership that delivers meaningful results while successfully bringing people and priorities together.

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Emma Rees is an exceptional strategic leader whose breadth of impact, resilience and vision truly stand out. Her ability to lead transformative change while bringing stakeholders together, championing ED&I and supporting community wellbeing is hugely impressive. With an outstanding evidence base and measurable results, Emma is a highly deserving and inspiring leader who deserves recognition.

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Robyn Lee is a truly outstanding leader, combining significant business growth with a strong commitment to people, the industry and raising standards across the UK residential sector. Her vision, resilience and ability to empower others are exceptional. With tangible impact, impressive achievements and a clear focus on supporting women, Robyn is a highly deserving contender.

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Tzana Webster is a highly impressive leader and advocate, making a significant impact across the Scottish residential sector. Her community-led leadership, public engagement and industry advocacy demonstrate a genuine commitment to positive change. Her commercial success, support for gender equality and forward-thinking approach make her a strong and inspiring contender.

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Nicola Free is an exceptional leader whose transformational impact at scale is truly outstanding. Her vision has driven remarkable commercial growth, market-leading innovation and significant international expansion, while her commitment to mentoring, sponsorship and increasing female representation demonstrates genuine leadership beyond business performance. A hugely impressive and highly deserving contender.

Harriet Swainson is an exceptional leader who combines strong commercial success with compassionate, people-focused leadership. Her innovative approach has created a thriving and inclusive business, while championing flexible working, diversity and professional development. With impressive growth, outstanding testimonials and meaningful sector contribution, Harriet is a highly deserving and inspiring contender.

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Gillian Murray is an exceptional and inspiring leader whose achievements truly stand out. From growing a service line fivefold and managing an international team to founding two innovative businesses, her vision and entrepreneurial spirit are remarkable. Her commitment to inclusion, technology and supporting experienced women makes her a hugely deserving contender.

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Dr Sabine is an exceptional leader, demonstrating strategic vision, institutional influence and measurable commercial impact on an impressive international scale. Her work across investment, ESG and platform growth showcases sophisticated leadership and long-term thinking, while her industry influence and strong testimonials further strengthen an outstanding entry. A highly deserving and inspiring contender.

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Places for People Group has delivered a thoughtful, innovative and evidence-led approach to diversity and inclusion, with a clear focus on creating meaningful, sustainable change. The strong improvement in disclosure data and inclusion sentiment demonstrates growing trust and impact, while manager training and practical support show genuine organisational commitment to neuroinclusion at scale.

Prisoners Building Homes is a truly transformational initiative tackling some of society’s most pressing challenges, from the housing and skills crises to reducing reoffending and supporting people into sustainable employment. With exceptional measurable outcomes, national scale and powerful testimonials, it demonstrates how innovation can create lasting impact for individuals, communities and the industry.

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Puma Property has delivered a highly credible and thoughtful approach to employee wellbeing, demonstrating a strong understanding of how belonging, psychological safety and organisational performance connect. The combination of practical support, cultural initiatives and strong external validation makes this a standout entry. A mature, meaningful and genuinely impactful programme that deserves recognition.

Centro Planning Consultancy has delivered an outstanding and inclusive talent development programme, particularly impressive for an SME. From university engagement and paid internships to mentoring, onboarding and career progression, the joined-up approach is creating meaningful opportunities and measurable impact. A fantastic example of how smaller organisations can drive positive change across the wider industry.

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