International Women’s Day: Q&A with The Momentum Group’s Jacqui Saunders & Jyssica Murphy

To mark International Women’s Day (8 March), two newly appointed directors from Liverpool-based property services company The Momentum Group share their thoughts on the industry, their career journeys, and how the property sector is improving its support for women – in a field where they make up just 15% of the workforce.

Jacqui Saunders: Jacqui was recently appointed as director of Momentum Manage, with a remit to grow the group’s property management division across the North West and South East. With over 20 years’ experience, Jacqui was previously associate director at Network Space and held positions at The Arch Company and Savills.

Jyssica Murphy: Jyssica recently joined The Momentum Group as a health, safety, and quality director, overseeing The Momentum Group’s strategy across the business. She brings a wealth of experience, including her previous role as building safety regulatory lead at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Can you tell us about your career journey so far as a woman in the property industry?

Jyssica: I started my career as an apprentice within a hazardous waste management company. I then self-funded my health and safety qualifications as that was where my passion lay. I was involved predominantly within the construction industry for many years. This is my first role within a company that covers property management as well as other aspects of the property sector. As the Group Health, Safety and Quality Director, my role covers four businesses at The Momentum Group.

I have enjoyed a successful career within the Health and Safety space over the last 12 years. In 2018, I won an award for Rising Star in H&S down in London. I also achieved chartered membership of IOSH in my mid-20s. I have mostly felt respected, empowered, and valued as a female within a male-dominated industry, but it hasn’t always been plain sailing. There have been some challenges along the way. Which I often put down to being a younger female in a male-dominated industry.

Jacqui: My first role in property was as a Property Manager. At the time, I was working in customer service and communication. It was when I accepted the position that I found my passion for the industry. Through the years, I’ve managed industrial units, offices, retail units, medical centres, railway arches and residential units. I’ve been a Property Administrator, Property Manager, Associate Director and now a Director. Although property management gets a bad rep as being the ‘messy side’ of the industry, I’ve enjoyed every minute.

In 2018, I passed my APC to become a Chartered Surveyor, having completed a PG Dip in Surveying through the College of Estate Management. While it was challenging working full time whilst studying and revising, the hard work paid off. I remember saying to friends and family that I would be using MRICS in their Christmas cards because of how proud of myself I was!

How have you seen the industry evolve for women since you first started your career?

Jyssica: I think it’s noticeable how many women are involved in property and construction now. When attending events, I used to be extremely outnumbered, as it was predominantly male-dominated. There has also been a big jump in younger females entering the industry. I have worked in new build housing and have been surrounded by many powerful females. This environment has pushed me to want to step into a senior leadership role myself.

Finally, the industry is slowly breaking away from the old-school mentality of long hours on-site as the only way to succeed. Now, with the rise of hybrid working and a stronger focus on work-life balance, there are more opportunities for women to thrive without sacrificing their personal lives. However, there are still challenges, like the ongoing gender pay gap and the fact that women still make up only about 15% of the workforce.

Jacqui: In 2007, around when I first started working in property, there were fewer women in management and surveying roles than there are now. Unfortunately, I did experience a lot of disrespect in the early days, where people would assume my boss was a man and wanted to talk to them instead. While this has improved, you still see it with some of the old-school generation. Now, it is nice to see so much support for women in the industry. It is something I’d like to be more involved in, and to give back to the next generation.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #AccelerateAction, which focuses on taking swift and decisive steps toward gender equality. Do you think the industry is making meaningful progress in supporting women and achieving gender equality? If so, how? If not, what’s missing?

Jyssica: The property and construction industry has come a long way in terms of gender equality, with a lot more representation from a female perspective, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement – especially when it comes to supporting working mothers. I have twins who are almost six, and it’s been hard to juggle being a mother and working the last few years. While flexible working is available in some places, it’s often treated like a privilege rather than a standard option.

There’s also this underlying stigma that needing flexibility for family makes you look less committed or less driven. On the plus side, more companies are starting to realize how valuable diverse perspectives are, including parents trying to balance work and family. Flexible work options, like hybrid models and adaptable hours, are becoming more common.

To really #AccelerateAction, we need a full-on culture shift in workplaces. Things like job-sharing and flexible roles that still let you advance in your career could make a big difference. Equal parental leave would help too, as this would help to normalise shared caregiving and level the playing field. At the heart of it, it’s about making working mums feel valued and ensuring they have the same opportunities to thrive. When flexibility and support become the standard, not just a checkbox, that’s when we’ll know progress is real.

Jacqui: Whilst there has been improvement, there are still issues with underrepresentation in key roles in construction and a gender bias that it’s a male industry. A diverse team can lead to better innovation, problem-solving and project outcomes. While there are more supportive networks and mentorships available now, providing opportunities for women to connect, share experiences and get guidance, these could be expanded and advertised further.

Pay equity is probably the thing that will take the most time to improve, with more transparency needed around wages and equal pay audits to ensure that women are paid fairly for the same work as their male counterparts.

Women represent only 15% of the workforce in the property and construction industry, what advice would you give to someone joining the sector?

Jyssica: The property and construction industry can be a rewarding but challenging field, especially for women entering a traditionally male-dominated sector. My advice would be to find a mentor or a support group of peers who have similar experiences. I think it is so important to seek support from people who have been there before or had experiences first hand. You don’t need to “fit in” to succeed. Being yourself can be your biggest strength. Support other women and help pave the way for future generations. We can shape how the future looks for other females!

Jacqui: I still see a visible divide between the number of women in property and those in development and construction, with far fewer in the latter. From my experience, women make brilliant property managers, and I would actively encourage people to give it a try. The days are busy and varied, and there’s a lot of time management and multi-tasking, which women already juggling a family and work will have the base skillset for.

There are many routes you can take. If you have a degree but it’s not related to property, you can do a qualification like a PG Dip. to get you to the educational level requirement. You could also get the work experience under your belt first and then get qualified that way. My advice is to get your foot in the door with a company that is willing to invest in you and your future and build a career that you love.

What steps does The Momentum Group take to make women feel supported and inspired in the property and construction industry?

Jyssica: I am new to The Momentum Group, however, there is a good foundation in place, which offers great support to myself and other women within the business. There is also a flexible working policy in place. Along with the values The Momentum Group offers, they are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for women in property and construction.

I am one of three female directors within The Momentum Group, which shows diversity and gender equality at a senior level. They have already committed the co-founders to attend further training to assist in my career development as a senior female leader. I will also ensure that education around women in construction and property remains a priority for me to promote at any and every opportunity I get.

Jacqui: I started at The Momentum Group in November 2024 and have felt supported since day one. I’m part of the board, heading up the management side of the business, and have never been made to feel anything other than a valuable member of the team. Momentum actively encourages everybody to develop both professionally and personally, and a person’s gender or position is irrelevant to the opportunities you can receive here. It’s a very refreshing place to work.

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