Women in Property appoints new Yorkshire and North East branch Chair 2026-27

National networking and influencer organisation Women in Property (WiP) has announced its new Yorkshire and North East branch Chair for 2026-27. Kelly Brown, a Planning Associate at international law firm CMS, will take the role from 1st March, until 28th February 2027. Kelly has been on the Yorkshire and North East committee for four years.

“I am honoured to be appointed Branch Chair to help guide our regional team” says Kelly. “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.

“Our committee in Yorkshire and the North East is formed of member volunteers, all industry professionals who focus their spare time and energy on Women in Property’s core initiatives, including schools outreach, inclusion and our mentoring programme. We have a fantastic multi-disciplinary network, which is a real USP for Women in Property and a great opportunity to promote a cross-fertilisation of ideas through our CPD accredited events and networking.”

Rebecca Roffe, who leads the Planning team at CMS’ Sheffield office, commented: “We are delighted Kelly has been appointed Branch Chair of WiP for Yorkshire and the North East, not least because the firm shares much in common with WiP, especially its ambition to improve the representation of women in senior roles in the property industry. Kelly will be an excellent Branch Chair, and we look forward to being involved in WiP initiatives over the next year. Congratulations Kelly.”

Supporting Kelly will be Vice Chair, Pip Hunsworth, who also takes on the role on 1st March. Pip is an Associate Director at engineering consultants Buro Happold.

Initiatives underway this year nationally include WiP’s national conference, the People-Innovation-Place Summit in Manchester on 23rd April, which is open to non-members, of all genders, partnership panel discussions at UKREiiF in Leeds in May, and development of a new Future Industries programme, targeting young people, to encourage more industry entrants from diverse backgrounds.