What happens when you’re the only woman in the room?
It’s a question many in the industry won’t ask out loud, but one that continues to shape careers, confidence and progression across the built environment.
At UKREiiF 2026, LRG’s EmpowerHer panel brings this conversation to the forefront.
Not as a headline. Not as a talking point. But as a lived experience.
Still Happening, Just Less Talked About
The industry has made progress.
More women are stepping into leadership roles. More voices are being heard.
But the reality is, for many, being the only woman in the room is still very much part of the experience.
And with that comes pressure.
To represent.
To perform.
To prove.
Often without the same support networks, visibility or shared experience as their peers.
The Part We Don’t Always Say Out Loud
It’s easy to talk about diversity in broad terms.
It’s harder to talk about what it actually feels like.
The hesitation before speaking up.
The awareness of being watched or overlooked.
The pressure to get it right, every time.
These are the moments that don’t always make it into strategy documents, but shape how people show up, contribute and progress.
Beyond the Moment
Initiatives like EmpowerHer play an important role, but what we want is the conversation to continue outside of the room.
The challenge is how we carry that momentum forward.
How we move from awareness to action.
From individual experiences to collective change.
From one-off conversations to lasting impact.
A Conversation Worth Having
This panel brings together a range of voices to share experiences, challenge perceptions and explore what needs to change, while also reflecting the perspectives of leaders responsible for shaping organisational culture and driving change across their businesses.
Not to provide perfect answers, but to open up a more honest conversation about lived experience, leadership accountability and what meaningful change looks like in practice.
Meet the Panel
This session brings together a powerful group of voices from across the industry
- Hannah Cooper, Chief People Officer, LRG
- Neil Louth, Chief Executive Officer, The Acorn Group
- Ashley Kensington, National Land Director, Lovell Strategic Land
- Lorraine Williamson, Senior Associate, Rider Levett Bucknall
- Robyn Prince, Head of Strategic Growth, Vistry London
Together, they will explore the realities, challenges and opportunities shaping female leadership in the built environment.
