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Women actively shaping strategy in commercial property sector

Businesses demonstrating commitment to their people and their development by creating a supportive environment to attract and retain talent, layered with an inclusive approach to encourage diversity, are leading the way in the corporate world globally.

Full-service agency Bayleys has a social and governance goal to promote healthy, diverse and inclusive workplaces and the company is proactively establishing a formidable leadership team across its nationwide business, with women taking many of the top roles and leveraging their proven and deep industry expertise.

Under its commercial property arm, Bayleys’ national director strategic business development, Davina Henderson says the firm is making targeted moves to strengthen its market-leading capabilities and is making gains within the industry as result of a more inclusive approach to leadership.

“We’re showing there are many different ways of doing business and that women bring valuable skillsets to the commercial property table. Having women in core leadership roles is not merely a ‘tick box’ at Bayleys – we’re decision-makers actively shaping strategy, driving business growth, and delivering measurable results.

“Women at Bayleys are empowered and valued for the highest level of property work we do every single day. In leading from the front, we hope to inspire other women to say, ‘this is where we want to work, this is what is possible’.”

With nearly two decades of experience across commercial, industrial, and retail property in New Zealand and Australia, Henderson has a track record of building and leading high-performing teams to deliver optimal results.

She believes women can activate meaningful change in the commercial property sector, and works alongside Bayleys’ key commercial business units and valued clients to drive growth, innovation and high-value strategic outcomes for the firm.

“The theme of being relentlessly better is woven into the Bayleys’ business, and we want to mentor women to grow their skillsets and confidence, to accept leadership roles, and make it easier for the next generation of women to see value in the sector.”

A Bayleys’ initiative to provide opportunities for women in the company to connect, network and build relationships is BCREW (Bayleys Commercial Real Estate Women) – a group that fosters a supportive environment for women, with a range of events and initiatives to encourage collegiality and demonstrate pathways to success.

BCREW was founded by commercial broker Peta Laery, and Paula Bennett, Bayleys’ national director customer engagement and advisory. Bennett brings a raft of transferable skills to her role as a former senior government minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and current board member across property, health, and community change organisations.

As key members of Bayleys’ national senior leadership team, Bennett, Henderson, and Suzie Wigglesworth, Bayleys national director projects, have worked together on large-scale national divestment strategies for clients, and actively participate in industry-leading property and construction sector events.

Wigglesworth, named as one of global property consultancy firm Knight Frank’s “Exceptional Women 2025”, celebrating those who excel professionally while creating spaces where others can flourish alongside them, says determination, hard work, and not being afraid to speak up have helped her get to where she is today.

"It’s about empowering women to have a voice in the industry, celebrating their achievements, and encouraging their progression by ensuring they have the appropriate support and mentorship.”

Also driving change in the commercial sector is Angela Bull, a director on the Bayleys board, an independent director of Fulton Hogan, Foodstuffs South Island, Channel Infrastructure, and listed property companies Property For Industry and Vital Healthcare Property Trust.

A seasoned chief executive working across large-scale commercial land use development, property, and infrastructure development, Bull says the director role with Bayleys allows her to contribute to the growth and success of the business, and normalises having women in real estate governance.

“While there has been enormous progress with inclusiveness for women in the commercial property sector as a whole with more women now actively engaged in commercial property across all levels, there is still more to be done.

“The key change-maker will be having more women in the sector backing themselves and other women to take the next step. That requires a supportive work environment to encourage progress and a range of views, and where there are intentional steps to support women to be successful.

“Commercial property is a really broad sector and full of opportunity. I was originally a lawyer and ended up in commercial property almost by accident, so part of identifying a pathway is to show that there isn’t just one version of commercial property.”

The appointment of experienced women into leadership roles at Bayleys most recently saw former chief executive of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, Jen Baird take up the role of executive director for Bayleys Auckland Residential, and high-achieving Bayleys’ commercial broker Gill Ireland appointed commercial manager for Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough.

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