For International Women’s Day, Charlotte Pillar, a Land Buyer for LiveWest, addresses the gender imbalance across the development and construction sector and highlights LiveWest’s support.
After studying Real Estate Management at university, Charlotte is thoroughly enjoying her career at LiveWest in a role that paves the way for the building of much needed homes across the South West.
With a sense of social purpose embedded in her role, through helping communities across the region, Charlotte is passionate about seeing more women pursue careers in development.
She said: “When I started university 13 years ago, I was one of only two or three women on the course.
“In recent years, there has been a step change in the right direction, and I believe the sector is really seeking to address the imbalance.
“Having been passionate about championing women in the sector, it feels like today is a good chance to promote the opportunities available in the sector in the hope more women will consider a career in development.
“Achieving this will have a positive impact on the recruitment and retention of women in the sector and help to harness new talent.
“At LiveWest, I have been given the opportunity to learn, grow and develop. I have always felt well supported by my team and the wider organisation, which is great to see.
“The housing association is having a real positive impact in supporting women to develop a career in construction and development and I am excited for the future.”
Charlotte successfully juggles a career in development with a busy family life, supporting her two children aged three and five and praises the support she receives by LiveWest.
She added: “It is difficult at times combining a full-time position with parenthood, but I have always been driven to have a fulfilling career.
“I am lucky to have the full support of my partner and my extended family. Without this support at home, it would be much harder to focus on my professional ambitions.
“I have a degree of flexibility within my role which has allowed me to juggle my commitments as a parent.
“I feel LiveWest has a great offering for parents in the workplace and a culture of support and understanding of work life balance.”
Charlotte joined LiveWest in 2016 when an opportunity arose to become part of the Open Market Land team.
Her role involves the identification and purchase of strategic land sites for open market led development, which lays the foundations for the construction of homes to begin.
Charlotte works with agents and landowners to identify potential sites for development and then teams up with commercial, planning and technical teams to assess whether the land is suitable for the building of homes.
After all the groundwork is completed, Charlotte then negotiates terms and works with solicitors to finalise contracts.
Once built, the open market homes are sold and any surplus generated is reinvested into developing affordable homes across the region.
Charlotte added: “I very much enjoy working with a variety of people within the sector and ultimately being part of delivering much needed homes across the South West.
“Every day is different and comes with its own challenges. I have found you have to be adaptable.
“But to know that my work has an impact on helping people to get access to a high-quality, sustainable home is highly rewarding.”
For International Women's Day one of our Sales Negotiators, Sally Bennetts, also raises awareness for equality and is thrilled to complete her apprenticeship with LiveWest after her juggling studies, job and new baby.