Last week's Women in Estate Agency (WIEA) Conference once again delivered something special, standing out from the usual industry events. Forget talks on increasing fees, breaking into the prime market, or generating vendor leads—this was all about real stories, personal growth, and inspiration.
Instead of debates on legislation or industry awards, the focus was on powerful storytelling and self-reflection. Attendees connected with the experiences shared on stage, seeing their own challenges and journeys reflected back at them.
One of the standout moments was the 'Agents of Change' panel, where An Deckers had the audience hooked with her incredible life story, showing what it means to overcome adversity. Vicky Bibiris shared her evolution from rebel to relentless learner, packed with mantras and resources to inspire others. Dani Nash rounded things off with her heartfelt and often hilarious reflections on self-discovery. It was a session full of laughter, tears, and genuine inspiration.
The rest of the day didn’t disappoint. Hayley Brackley spoke about embracing neurodiversity as a superpower, Natasha Terinova drew unexpected leadership lessons from ancient Egyptian dynasties, and Jeremy Langmead’s touching tribute to Sarah Edmundson had the whole room welling up. Jennie Barker shared insights into fostering a high-performance culture at Rightmove—no small feat for a company generating £350m in revenue while maintaining a 70% profit margin.
In true WIEA style, the post-lunch slump was shaken off with a flashmob dance session, filling the room with energy. Emma Serlin followed with her story of shifting from aspiring theatre director to world-renowned speech coach, a journey that resonated with many. The day wrapped up with a keynote from Group Captain Jo Salter MBE, the UK’s first female fighter pilot, sharing lessons from a trailblazing career.
One of the boldest additions this year was an all-male panel on men’s mental health, featuring Ben Madden, Iain McKenzie, Daniel Keedwell, and others. A potentially tricky topic in a room of 350+ women, it turned out to be one of the most talked-about sessions of the day, with many calling it a highlight.
The event ended on a high with the ESTAS-sponsored afterparty, complete with a 360-camera booth and a late-night singalong at The Big Chill. Plenty of sore heads the next morning, but absolutely no regrets.
WIEA has firmly established itself as the must-attend conference of the year. If you’re making plans for 2026, get a ticket—or better yet, bring the whole team. You won’t regret it.
