_Building the future of real estate leaders

Our inaugural Women in Tech event brought together a panel of women from different backgrounds, united in their passion for technology in real estate: Honor Barratt (CEO, Birchgrove), Sammy Pahal (Managing Director, UK PropTech Association), Heather Staff (Co-founder, Street Group), Tiffany Fisher (Solutions Analyst, Knight Frank), and Brigitte Schweitzer (Business Analyst, Knight Frank).

While the session covered cutting-edge technology - from AI to digital twins and fall-detection systems - it was the deeply human themes of inclusion, mentorship, resilience, and leadership that stood out, with the lighthearted delivery from panellists keeping attendees engaged and entertained.

Here's what we learned from a panel that blended the future of real estate with the future of equity and empowerment.

Non-linear careers and the power of pivoting

One of the most striking messages was that no one had experienced a straight path into tech or property. The panel’s backgrounds included psychology, film, geography, broadcasting and accountancy - PropTech was found through curiosity, frustration, opportunity, and purpose.

Whether pivoting from pure coding into systems analysis, discovering a tech academy straight out of university, or the discomfort of leaving a stable job to start a new company, all panellists were clear that your degree doesn’t define your destiny. Career pivots shouldn’t be seen as setbacks, but the fuel that drives innovation.

From lightbulb moments to slow burns

For some of the panellists, purpose emerged from a single moment of clarity. For others, it was a slow realisation. Honor’s “aha” moment came when she realised that older renters were massively underserved - a revelation that led to Birchgrove, a build-to-rent platform for later-life living.

Meanwhile, Heather saw her brother’s prototype - now the successful Spectre platform - and knew instantly it could change the industry.

Their advice to future leaders would be whether it’s a flash or a slow burn, follow your curiosity. Trust your instincts - even if they’re still forming.

Tech that excites: It’s all about data and people

AI was the star of the show, with a clear message: good tech is useless without solid data and great people.

Sammy highlighted how AI, digital twins, and smart buildings are converging to unlock unstructured data and improve decision-making. Heather’s “propensity to move” model, which predicts which homeowners are most likely to sell, can enhance agent marketing by 344%, and Honor shared how real-world challenges, like a resident left unattended after a fall, inspired her team to install sensor-based fall-detection tech in their properties.

Tiffany reinforced that real transformation doesn’t begin with tech; it always starts with understanding people. If you don’t understand the problem that needs solving, the software solution won’t matter.

DE&I, sponsorship, and the ‘second pay cheque’

The panel discussion went beyond tech to explore what inclusion really looks like in this sector. Every speaker emphasised that allyship, mentorship, and sponsorship were essential to their success.

Personal support systems take on different shapes – from life partners to mentors – but these are crucial for providing the confidence to take the lead and a vital part of professional success.

Honor comments: “We call it the second pay cheque - being paid well, but also knowing you’re making the world better.”

Advice for the next generation

The event showcased a panel of successful women and provided inspiration for those just starting in their own PropTech careers, offering real, practical guidance:

• Own your career: No-one else will.
• Ask the question: “No one in the room knows everything,” Brigita reminded us.
• Don’t fear change: “Pivoting is powerful,” Tiff emphasised.
• Value emotional intelligence: In the age of AI, it’s your human insight that sets you apart.
• Mentorship matters: Learn from those just ahead of you - and don’t discard the “battle-scarred lions” who’ve weathered the storms before.

Real estate’s human revolution

Digital transformation in real estate isn’t just about AI, smart buildings, or data visualisation. It’s also about people - their stories, setbacks, decisions, and dreams. It's about recognising that innovation comes from diverse experiences, bold choices, and sometimes, from asking the questions no one else is asking.

This panel reminded the audience that future leaders in PropTech won’t come from a single mould. They’ll come from everywhere. They’ll be dancers and potters, coders and psychologists, parents and partners. They’ll be adaptable, curious, and most importantly, supported by those who believe in their potential.

At Knight Frank, we believe those future leaders are already here - and we’re committed to supporting them. To find out more about this or future events, get in touch with our team.