Property services group LRG has promoted four female employees to director-level positions across customer experience, lettings operations and build-to-rent divisions. The appointments were announced in March, coinciding with International Women’s Day.
All four appointees have developed their careers internally at LRG. Donna Wright FARLA FNAEA, who has been with the group for 36 years, has been appointed Director of Customer Support and Engagement. Wright progressed from branch manager through compliance and quality roles.
Wendy De Swart, MARLA qualified and with nearly 32 years at LRG, moves from Head of Process and Implementation to Director of Lettings Implementation. Genna Handford, who joined in 2018, has been promoted from Head of Lettings Support Centre to Director of Lettings Support Centres.
Justine Edmonds, who established LRG Living Markets, transitions from Head of Build to Rent to Director of Build to Rent, bringing over 20 years of property sector experience.
Gender diversity metrics
The promotions follow a shift in LRG’s workforce composition. Women now represent 60% of the group’s total workforce, while the executive board comprises 36% female members. The company’s gender pay gap has decreased from 43.59% in 2019 to 26.40% currently.
LRG launched EmpowerHER in 2024, an internal programme focused on mentoring, roundtable events and professional development for women employees. The programme has engaged over 400 women across seven roundtable sessions since its inception.
Hannah Cooper, Chief People Officer at LRG, stated: “These promotions aren’t about ticking a box. Donna, Wendy, Genna and Justine have each earned their place at director level through years of hard work and deep expertise.”
Cooper added that programmes like EmpowerHER support the company’s approach, though she attributed the promotions primarily to organisational culture and leadership support.
The appointments reflect broader industry efforts to address gender representation in senior property sector roles, though LRG’s current gender pay gap remains above the UK national median of 14.3% reported in 2024.