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Finding the perfect balance - NG celebrates International Women's Day

As we approach International Women’s Day on Saturday March 8th, it’s worth asking whether the surveying profession has its own house in order.

While there has been an upturn in female participation in the surveying sector in recent years, challenges still remain in reaching a true gender balance.

In the UK, women make up around 14-15% of the workforce in the surveying profession, a figure that has steadily increased over the past decade. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), which is one of the main bodies for surveyors, reports that the percentage of women in its membership has been growing, but still lags behind male representation.

While the number of women entering surveying is rising, there is a lower representation of women in senior and leadership roles. Women are often under-represented in higher-paying professions such as commercial and construction surveying. The RICS has set diversity targets to address this issue and ensure more women are supported in reaching leadership positions.

Our Managing Director, Richard Sutton, said: “Women in surveying can face challenges related to gender bias, including stereotyping and the perception that surveying is a male-dominated field. This can sometimes impact career progression and workplace dynamics.”

Like many technical and construction-related fields, surveying can be demanding in terms of working hours and travel. Balancing family responsibilities with the demands of the profession has been noted as a significant challenge for women in the field.

There have been a series of initiatives put forward to combat this, including campaigns like RICS’s ‘Building the Future’ programme which focuses on inspiring young women to consider surveying as a viable career path. Meanwhile, universities and training programs have increased efforts to encourage women to pursue surveying as a career.

NG has a much higher-than average female workforce and earlier this year welcomed Charlotte Steggles to director – the second woman to sit on our board – and the youngest-ever.

Richard added: “We’ve made a conscious effort to work towards gender parity because we’re a 21st Century employer. We’re not stuck in the past.

“We make it work for our people, and in return they repay the company in some ways – both tangible and intangible.

Alicia Lewis, our fast-rising surveyor, said: “NG has been instrumental in shaping my career as a female surveyor in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

“Their unwavering support, inclusive culture, and commitment to professional development have provided me with the confidence and opportunities to thrive.

“From mentorship to hands-on experience, NG has championed my growth, proving that talent and dedication – not gender – define success in this field.”

Charlotte added: “At NG Chartered Surveyors, we celebrate the power of diversity and the strength of women in leadership. As a female Director, I’m proud of the work NG continues to do within the industry, but this is about hiring the right person for the job, their expertise, and determination to drive success – regardless of gender.”