To celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, which takes place on 8 March, BE News is running a series of interviews with inspirational women who work across the built environment sector
Name: Beth Warren
Job title: Senior surveyor within the property and asset management department at Hartnell Taylor Cook (HTC)
What I do: I provide lease advisory services for several public and private sector clients, the biggest being Maritime and Coastguard Agency. I predominantly manage lease events, lease renewals and rent reviews.
Why I got into the property industry: I fell into it. After achieving a 2:1 in history from York University I returned home to save money and decide what to do with my life. I got a job at Clarke and Simpson, a residential agency, which was just down the road. I started by making the tea and franking the post, but quickly moved to conducting viewings and negotiating sales. I qualified as a Member of the National Association of Estate Agents in 2011 and spent over six years seeing some of the most beautiful homes around Suffolk.
How I did it: I completed a post graduate certificate in the built environment through the University College of Estate Management in my free time and took the experience route through the APC. I qualified in 2021.
My first proper job: I started working when I was 13 years old (I don’t think this would be allowed now!) at the local chemist. I was the “Saturday girl” (this was how it was advertised, which would also not be allowed now!) running the tills and stacking the shelves. I was paid £3.75 per hour and worked there for five years. In my older teenage years, I found a love of fitness – I achieved a level three personal training qualification, level four pre and post natal fitness qualification and Les Mills Body Pump and RPM qualifications. I still teach two RPM (spin) classes a week and I am hosting a Sip & Spin networking event for Women in Property South West in March for International Women’s Day.
My first big break: Getting the job at Hartnell Taylor Cook and being supported to qualify as a chartered surveyor. I started in a project management role within the building surveying department and I am now a senior surveyor in the property and asset management department. I have been at HTC for 10 years now.
My inspiration(s): My family. My mum was just 21 years old when she had my brother who then became very unwell (and subsequently disabled) when he was 18 months old. She was his main carer for 20 years and continues to fight tirelessly for him now. My dad was a deputy head at Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham and was awarded an MBE for services to education in 2012. He worked so hard for that school and all the pupils in it. Seeing him collect his MBE from the late Queen was one of my proudest moments.
My brother – despite everything he’s been through and goes through, he has the kindest and purest soul. I regularly wonder what career he would have if he were able to because I suspect he would be very successful. My husband – he is my biggest supporter and my safe place. He shares the load and allows me to be all versions of myself – the surveyor, the spin instructor, the mum. My two girls – I want to be the best mum for them, and I’d like to inspire them to do whatever they want to do.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Sitting the APC when my daughter was just one. Looking back I’m not sure how I did it, and honestly I can’t even remember – the sleep deprivation reached a whole other level.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Winning EDI Champion of the year – Commercial at Property Week’s Inspiring Women in Property Awards 2025. I was nominated by one of our clients and I didn’t believe it when the email came through to say I was a finalist. Then on the night, I was just overwhelmed to be in a room of so many incredible women – it was truly inspirational. To then win was the icing on the cake.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: That we’re all building surveyors and can all do a residential home buyers survey. We aren’t and we can’t.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: I wish there were more women and more diversity in this space. My colleague, Jess, and I are currently working with Empire Fighting Chance, a boxing gym in Bristol, to offer work experience to their members. If we can change the perception of our industry and inspire a new generation (even in a small area), I will be very pleased.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: I have a severely disabled brother and two young daughters. I would love to make meaningful difference to ensure the world is more inclusive for them.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: I would like to have achieved at least two promotions (if not more) at Hartnell Taylor Cook. I would like to have grown my Property Parents networking events and expanded into other cities. I would still like to be on the Women in Property South West committee fighting for change in the industry, and continue my mentorship of graduates across the UK.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: My grandparents. They all died either before I was born or when I was really little. I would bring them all together with my parents for a big family roast dinner.
What I do in my downtime: When I’m not rushing around to swimming, gymnastics and street-dance lessons for my kids, I like to craft. I have a Cricut machine so I personalise a lot of things using that. I also love hosting a party or making a fuss of a ‘holiday’ i.e. Valentine’s Day or Christmas. On Valentine’s Day, my kids and I take roses to our neighbours and at Christmas I make my neighbours an individual Christmas cake each. We live in a small close in Bristol where most of my neighbours are widowed so these little acts of kindness mean a lot to them. I also love a really long walk with my husband, a hack at The Avon Riding Centre, and a glass of wine with my best pals who we take it turns to cook for every Friday night.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: Midwifery. When I moved to Bristol in 2016 I was planning to go back to university to start a career in midwifery. Then I got offered the job at Hartnell Taylor Cook and the rest is history.
My advice for someone just starting out: Just start. If that means starting at the bottom, start at the bottom, and work hard to climb the ladder.
My motto/mantra: I was recently invited onto a panel at Empire Fighting Chance’s Growing our Sisterhood event and I was asked what advice I would give my younger self. I replied “be louder and eat the blummin cake”. That’s my motto.
