WISH Spring Newsletter 2025

WISH Spring Newsletter – A Fond Farewell and Exciting Updates

by Lucy Malarkey, WISH Managing Director

Welcome, everyone, to our WISH Spring newsletter!

Spring is such a wonderful time of the year. The sunshine has started, brighter days are ahead, the clocks are ready to spring forward, and the daffodils are bringing a splash of cheer to our surroundings. However, it’s with mixed emotions that I write this: my final WISH newsletter welcome.

At the end of April, I’ll be stepping down as WISH Managing Director, handing the reins to an incredible new MD who we can’t wait to introduce soon.

It has been an absolute privilege to serve as your Managing Director over the last three years. I’ve had the immense joy of working with so many inspiring individuals and driving the growth and success of this wonderful organisation. Leaving WISH—a community so close to my heart—is no easy decision, but after three fantastic years, my other business has flourished to the point where juggling both roles has become a challenge.

As I prepare to pass the torch, I do so with enormous pride in all we’ve accomplished together. Here’s a look at some of the highlights from the last quarter.

In January, we concluded our annual WISH survey and began analysing the results. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part—your feedback is invaluable and will shape our focus over the next 12 months.

On International Women’s Day, we spotlighted some of the survey’s key insights into gender inequality through a press release and social media campaign. We were thrilled to see our messaging, alongside a powerful blog by our President, Tracey McEachran, gain significant coverage across the housing sector. These findings are a compelling reminder of why our mission is so crucial and underscore the importance of our Presidential campaign, #HearHerVoice.

“WOW” truly sums up the spirit of our International Women’s Day celebrations! Our incredible regional boards delivered a variety of inspiring events—both in person and online. Their creativity and dedication made this year’s celebrations unforgettable. A huge round of applause to everyone involved!

And we’re looking ahead with excitement. The future of WISH is brighter than ever, with plenty of exciting opportunities on the horizon:

• Career Mentoring Programme: Following the resounding success of year one, we’re thrilled to be opening applications for the second iteration of our mentoring programme, in collaboration with Page Executive. This free national initiative is all about women supporting women to advance their careers in the housing sector. If you’re interested in becoming a mentor or mentee, stay tuned!
• Networking Events: Later this year, we’ll be hosting our signature free networking events in conjunction with national housing conferences. These events are always incredibly popular, so keep an eye on our website for updates. A special thanks to our generous sponsors, whose continued support makes these gatherings possible.

Wishing you all a joyful Spring! While this season brings so much to celebrate, here’s to looking ahead to even brighter and sunnier summer days! It’s with huge gratitude that I sign out and pass this wonderful WISH opportunity onto my successor.

Read the FULL Spring 2025 Newsletter here!