WISH London Event: Rise & Lead: Women Shaping the Future of Housing

What does it really take to move into senior leadership — and what do you learn once you get there?

Join WISH London for an honest and practical conversation with women leading across housing, development, law, finance and local government.

Chaired by Asha Agarwal, Founder & Managing Director of Inspire Homes, our panel will explore the realities behind leadership: building confidence and influence, navigating career-defining moments, creating visibility, developing networks and bringing other women with you as you progress.

Our speakers:

Asha Agarwal – Chair

Asha Agarwal is the Founder and Managing Director of Inspire Homes, a specialist new homes consultancy supporting local authorities, housing associations and developers across sales, marketing, affordable home ownership and routes to market.

With over 25 years’ experience in property and housing, Asha has been involved in the sale of more than £250 million GDV of new homes. She is also a WISH London Board Member and a passionate advocate for women building successful careers and stepping confidently into leadership.

Jacqueline Esimaje-Heath - NED - Yorkshire Housing Ltd and Chair of YH Residential

Jacqueline has over 25 years leadership experience spanning residential property development, regeneration, housing consultancy, and sales/marketing across the public and private housing sectors.

Linda Storey, Head of Housing, Penningtons Manches Cooper

Linda Storey joined Penningtons Manches Cooper in 1999 and became a partner in 2005. Over more than 25 years with the firm, she has built a highly respected practice advising housing associations and other social housing providers on a wide range of housing law matters, with particular expertise in sales and home ownership. Today, she leads Penningtons Manches Cooper's 60-strong Housing Sector Group, bringing together lawyers from across the firm's disciplines to support clients throughout the industry.

Drawing on her experience as both a lawyer and leader, Linda will offer practical insights on building influence, nurturing talent and creating opportunities for others to succeed, providing inspiration for women at all stages of their careers.

Alison Gray - Head of Social Housing Debt Finance, Barclays

Ali began her career with NatWest in 1988, attracted to their fast-track management development programme. Settling quickly into a Commercial and Corporate Banking environment, she undertook a variety of coverage roles, progressing quickly through the grades and latterly undertaking Relationship Director and Business Development Director roles.

Social Housing is very much Ali’s passion, working with many of the sectors key Registered Providers and having structured and originated billions of debt into the sector over a 14-year stretch.

Councillor Alison Moore - Adult Social Care and Health, Chair, Health and Wellbeing Board,London Borough of Barnet

A former academic researcher, Alison has been an elected councillor for more than 20 years and has played a wide range of roles during that time. These have included Cabinet Member for Education and Children, ten years as Leader of the Opposition and Civic Mayor of Barnet. Alison has been a Parliamentary Candidate, a London Assembly candidate and was a London-wide Member of the London Assembly serving on the Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee and chairing the Transport Committee during lock-down.

Alison has a particular interest in the wider determinants of health and the impact that housing, the environment and education can have on health and wellbeing, life expectancy and health inequalities.

We’ll hear what our speakers wish they had known earlier in their careers, the decisions that shaped their journeys and their advice for women looking to take their next step.

Expect an open conversation around:

• Moving from technical expert to leader
• Building confidence, influence and visibility
• Navigating setbacks and career pivots
• Developing relationships and networks that matter
• Leading authentically in senior rooms
• Sponsorship, mentoring and opening doors for others
• What the next generation of female housing leaders needs from those already at the table

Whether you're an emerging leader, stepping into senior management or already leading teams, come away with practical insights, new connections and a clearer sense of how to take your next step.

Book now to secure your place! We look forward to seeing you there.

WISH London