Development Director Zoe Thomson champions women in construction

A leading property professional has spoken about her journey from solicitor to property developer and why more women need seats at the construction industry's decision-making tables.

Zoe Thomson, 30, Development Director and in-house legal counsel at Helios Properties, began her career specialising in development law before making the leap into property development itself.

After training as a solicitor and working in London, Thomson spent her early career advising on the legal frameworks behind major developments, from land agreements and infrastructure planning to the extensive groundwork required before construction can begin. But while she enjoyed the work, she realised her real passion lay on the other side of the table.

"I absolutely loved development law," she said.

"But eventually I realised it was more interesting being on the other side - actually doing the deals, finding the sites and watching buildings come up out of the ground."

Leaving private practice was no small step.

Thomson said: "It was a huge decision because you spend so much time and money getting there. But I got to the point where I thought life's too short. You have to do what you're really passionate about."

Today, Durham born Zoe plays a central role at Helios Properties across the full development lifecycle. So, from sourcing sites and structuring land transactions to coordinating agents, lawyers and construction teams on live projects, she has found a new calling and is making a massive difference out in the field.

"Everything starts long before the first shovel goes in the ground," Thomson explained. "It's about putting the right legal agreements in place so the development can actually happen."

She is equally passionate about diversity. Construction's gender imbalance, she says, extends well beyond the building site.

"It's still predominantly male dominated, not just on site but in the boardrooms and in the rooms where deals are made. For women to be part of those conversations from top to bottom is really important."

Speaking during the final day of Women in Construction Week at a Press Event for Artium Construction and Artium Commercial in Brough, of which Helios are a key part of, Thomson hopes her story encourages others to consider careers in the sector.

"Being a young woman in construction is a brilliant thing. There are huge opportunities and it's exciting to see more women coming through."