Meet Emma, HR Estate Agents

As we celebrate International Women’s Day and reflect ahead of Mother’s Day, we’re proud to share the story of Emma Sheriden — a woman whose career in property is built on courage, growth and determination.

A Bold Career Change

Emma’s professional journey didn’t begin in estate agency. She spent 17 years working in a corporate role at Severn Trent, building stability and experience in a structured environment. But after nearly two decades, she knew she wanted something different — something more dynamic, people-focused and rewarding.

Ten years ago, she made the decision to step into the property industry, starting as a part-time administrative assistant at a local estate agency. What began as a support role quickly evolved. Emma’s drive, attention to detail and natural ability with clients meant she progressed rapidly. Before long, she was handling all aspects of the business — conducting viewings, carrying out valuations and managing after-sales progression.

It wasn’t just a job change; it was a complete reinvention.

Choosing the Self-Employed Path

Five years ago, Emma took another leap and became self-employed, joining HR Estate Agents to continue building her own brand within the industry. For her, self-employment meant autonomy, flexibility and the ability to shape her business around her values.

With ten years’ experience now behind her, Emma brings confidence and knowledge to every client interaction. She understands that property is not just about bricks and mortar — it’s about life stages, transitions and milestones.

Motherhood & Motivation

Emma has been a single mum for the past decade, raising three children who are now young adults. Balancing career growth with motherhood hasn’t always been easy, but it has been deeply motivating.

Two of her children still live at home, and she takes pride in knowing they’ve witnessed the hard work and dedication that goes into building a successful career. For Emma, leading by example has always been important. Showing her children resilience, independence and ambition has been one of her greatest achievements.

Last September brought a particularly special moment — helping one of her children purchase their first home. Guiding her through the process wasn’t just professional expertise; it was personal. Supporting her daughter through such an important milestone brought her career and motherhood beautifully together.

Strength, Experience & Balance

Emma believes women — particularly mothers — bring emotional intelligence, organisation and calmness to estate agency. Years of juggling family life and professional responsibility create a level of adaptability that serves clients incredibly well.

But for Emma, success isn’t just about work. She prioritises her wellbeing through wellness and spa days, loves travelling and makes a conscious effort to live life to the full. That balance fuels her energy and focus, allowing her to work hard while still enjoying the rewards of it.

Three Words

If Emma had to describe being a working mum in three words, they would be:

Driven. Independent. Proud.

Because for her, building a successful career while raising three children as a single parent isn’t just a role — it’s an achievement.

Meet Sarah, HR Estate Agents

As part of our International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day feature, we’re celebrating the different paths, experiences and strengths that women bring to HR Estate Agents. Today, we’re sharing Sarah’s story — one built on resilience, compassion and an unwavering work ethic.

A Career Built on Strength

Before entering estate agency, Sarah spent three years working as a prison officer — a role that demanded resilience, strong communication skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure. It was a career that shaped her confidence and strengthened her ability to handle challenging situations with professionalism and composure.

Fifteen years ago, she transitioned into the property industry, bringing those qualities with her. Estate agency may be very different from prison work, but both require people skills, patience and the ability to navigate high-pressure environments. Over the past decade and a half, Sarah has built a wealth of experience across the industry, developing a reputation for being dependable, hardworking and straight-talking.

Now self-employed with HR Estate Agents, Sarah has the flexibility to structure her work around her life. The independence that comes with being self-employed allows her to continue building her career while also being present for the people who rely on her most.

Family, Care & Commitment

While Sarah isn’t a mother in the traditional sense, nurturing and caring are very much part of her world. She lives with her partner, Hayley, and is a proud mum to four much-loved cats who certainly keep life entertaining at home.

More significantly, Sarah plays a vital role in caring for her elderly mum, supporting her day to day and ensuring she’s looked after. The flexibility of self-employment means she can attend appointments, provide support when needed and balance her professional responsibilities with her personal ones. Supporting a loved one through later life requires patience, strength and reliability — qualities that naturally extend into how she supports her clients.

Mother’s Day, for Sarah, is about appreciation — recognising the women who shape us, guide us and continue to need us as life evolves. Caring doesn’t only move in one direction, and Sarah embodies that balance beautifully.

Women in Property

Having worked in two very different industries, Sarah has seen firsthand the strengths women bring to the workplace. In estate agency, she believes emotional intelligence, communication and resilience are invaluable. Buying and selling property can be stressful, and clients need someone steady and reassuring — something Sarah provides naturally.

Her background has given her thick skin, problem-solving skills and the ability to work calmly under pressure. Combined with 15 years of property experience, she offers both empathy and authority in equal measure.

Work Ethic & Balance

Sarah enjoys working hard and achieving results, but she equally values time with family. Whether that’s quiet evenings at home, time with Hayley, caring for her mum or simply enjoying life with her cats, balance is essential. Being self-employed gives her the autonomy to prioritise both her career and her loved ones — without compromising either.

Three Words

If Sarah had to describe her version of modern womanhood in three words, they would be:

Resilient. Caring. Determined.

Because strength isn’t defined by one title — it’s defined by how you show up, every single day, for the people who matter most.

Meet Catherine, HR Estate Agents

As part of our International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day spotlight, we’re celebrating the incredible women behind HR Estate Agents. Today, we’re sharing the journey of self-employed agent Catherine Thompson, whose path into property has been anything but ordinary.

Your Journey

My career actually began in land charges, where I completed an apprenticeship organising property searches. That role gave me my first real insight into the legal and technical side of property — understanding what happens behind the scenes of every transaction.

From there, I made a complete career change and moved into healthcare, working in palliative care. It was an incredibly meaningful role, supporting people and families at the end of life and helping them navigate one of the most emotional journeys they’ll ever face. I loved being able to help people during such an important time.

However, after a while I felt ready for a new challenge. An opportunity came up at Fine & Country, and that was my step back into the property world. I worked there for several years before taking what many would call a leap of faith — I became self-employed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I had not long given birth to my son, Oscar. It was lockdown, the market felt uncertain, and I was a new mum — but I knew I wanted flexibility and control over my future. So I went for it.

Motherhood & Career

Becoming a mum has completely changed the way I work — in the best possible way. It’s given me a deeper level of empathy and patience. Buying or selling a home is such an emotional process, and I understand that even more now.

For many families, it’s about security, stability and creating memories — things I now see through the lens of being a parent.

A typical day can be full on. It starts with getting Oscar ready for school, doing the drop-off, then straight into calls, viewings, valuations or admin. The beauty of being self-employed is that I can structure my day around him.

I’m there for pick-ups, school events and the little moments that matter.

The past year has been particularly challenging. As a single mum, I’ve been juggling growing my business, purchasing my own home and raising Oscar. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has been incredibly rewarding.

There’s a real sense of pride in building something for both of us.

Being a Woman in Property

I truly believe women — and especially mums — bring a unique strength to estate agency. We’re natural multitaskers. We’re organised. We’re empathetic. We listen. In this industry, relationships matter, and understanding people matters even more.

There can be challenges in any industry, and property is no exception. Being self-employed, particularly as a single parent, means the responsibility sits fully with you.

There’s no switching off entirely. But resilience grows from those moments. Every challenge I’ve faced has made me more determined and more confident in my ability.

The Mother’s Day Meaning

Mother’s Day, for me, is about appreciation — not just for mums, but for the quiet strength that motherhood requires every single day. It’s about the small hands that hold yours and the reminder of why you work so hard.

I hope that when Oscar watches me, he learns resilience. I hope he sees that taking risks can lead to growth, that hard work matters, and that you can build something for yourself no matter the circumstances.

Most importantly, I hope he sees that you can love what you do and still prioritise family.

Three Words

If I had to describe being a working mum in three words, they would be:

Resilient. Rewarding. Relentless.

Because that’s exactly what it is — challenging at times, but deeply fulfilling.