UK regional business news today spotlights a significant leadership transition for the South West property sector.
Women in Property South West (WiP), the national networking and influencer organisation, has officially announced Coralie McKeivor as its South West branch Chair for the 2026/27 term.
McKeivor, a Director in the Real Estate team at Freeths LLP, will assume the role on 1st March, succeeding the outgoing chair. Having served on the South West committee for eight years, she brings a wealth of regional expertise and a proven commitment to the organisation’s mission of industry parity.
A Vision for Inclusion and Design
The appointment comes at a pivotal time for the sector as it grapples with recruitment and retention challenges. McKeivor’s tenure will focus on embedding inclusion into the very fabric of professional engagement.
Coralie comments: “I am honoured to be appointed Branch Chair, to help guide our regional team. The organisation’s ethos is all about prioritising and empowering people, as we seek to improve gender parity in the industry, while working towards a more inclusive and understanding society.”
She adds: “From a personal perspective, I am excited to champion inclusion in the property industry. I am particularly passionate about ensuring inclusion is designed into everything we do: from how we network and deliver events, to how we support career progression and leadership. Through our work, we have the opportunity not only to champion women, but to strengthen belonging, visibility and balance across our industry.”
Strategic Leadership Team
Supporting McKeivor in her mission are newly appointed Vice Chairs, Chloe Llewellin and Emma Burman, who also begin their roles on 1st March. Llewellin, an assistant project manager at Gleeds, and Burman, business development manager at Morgan Civil and Structural, represent the cross-disciplinary nature of the WiP network.
This leadership trio is set to oversee a busy calendar of regional and national initiatives designed to bridge the gap between dry corporate reporting and high-impact networking.
National Initiatives: Making it Count
What is the People-Innovation-Place Summit 2026? The national conference, held in Manchester on 23rd April, is a flagship event for the organisation. Notably, the summit is open to non-members of all genders, reflecting WiP’s drive for industry-wide collaboration.
Further national activity includes partnership panel discussions at UKREiiF in Leeds this May. Additionally, the organisation is developing a new “Future Industries” programme. This initiative specifically targets young people to encourage fresh entrants from diverse backgrounds, ensuring the property talent pipeline is both robust and representative.
How does Women in Property support diversity in the South West? By giving visibility and mentorship, the South West branch helps local talent access the resources they need to grow. Under McKeivor’s leadership, the focus remains on “no messing about” results that provide immediate value to the regional economy.
FAQs: Women in Property South West 2026
Who is the Women in Property South West Chair for 2026?
Coralie McKeivor, a Director in the Real Estate team at Freeths LLP, has been appointed Chair of the South West branch. Her term runs from 1st March 2026 to 28th February 2027.
What is the People-Innovation-Place Summit 2026?
This is Women in Property’s national conference, taking place in Manchester on 23rd April. It is an inclusive event open to both members and non-members of all genders, focusing on the intersection of people and place-making.
How does Women in Property support diversity in the South West?
The organisation supports diversity through targeted networking, mentorship, and leadership development. The new “Future Industries” programme specifically aims to attract young entrants from underrepresented backgrounds into the property and construction sectors.
Who are the new Vice Chairs for the South West branch?
The branch will be supported by Chloe Llewellin, an assistant project manager at Gleeds, and Emma Burman, business development manager at Morgan Civil and Structural.
What is the primary goal of Coralie McKeivor’s chairmanship?
Her focus is on “inclusive design” within the industry, ensuring that everything from networking events to career progression pathways is designed to foster belonging, visibility, and gender balance.