46 Women in Real Estate Who Crushed It in 2019

In the run up to the third annual Women Leading Real Estate event, Bisnow decided to take a look back at a remarkable year for UK real estate, but through a different lens to the usual end-of-year reviews. Here, we present a list of women in commercial real estate who have had a magnificent 2019, and are helping to shape the real estate sector at a time of immense change.

This group has founded startups and sold their successful businesses to larger peers; taken on executive roles at listed companies, and driven innovation and change at their existing firms; they are red in tooth and claw capital markets deal-makers; and they are figuring out how to apply the principles of the circular economy to real estate so the sector can help fight the climate emergency. They are diverse, passionate and, in so many cases, working to improve diversity in the property sector in the UK and beyond.

Jo Cowen – The Architect and Capital Raiser Combined

Jo Cowen is founder of an award-winning architectural practice, Jo Cowen Architects, as well as an equity introductory platform, Jo Cowen Capital.

The architecture practice has become expert in the BTR real estate arena as well as the PropTech space, with an in-depth knowledge of the digital workspace/commercial market.

Cowen co-founded her architecture and capital businesses, which has the ability to co-invest in projects, in 2012 and now manages a team of more than 40 architects and managers in her rapidly growing practice.

Outside of work, Cowen enjoys travelling as much as possible, though this isn’t always easy given her role of running a studio. However, she most enjoys relaxing at home with her children.