Emma Bolton, who was born and raised in Durham and now lives in Hartlepool, was named “Woman of the Year” in the “Professional Services” category at the “Inspiring Women in Property” awards.
The awards brought together more than 500 property professionals from across the country – including trailblazing women and male allies – to celebrate those making a real, positive impact across the industry.
Emma, a chartered surveyor, has spent most of her career working across the NHS and wider public sector, in lead estates and facilities roles. In 2025, she became Chief Executive of Sewell Advisory, a consultancy which supports the public sector with their estates and property challenges, overseeing its merger with Community Ventures, where she had been CEO since 2023.
She was chosen as the winner from a competitive shortlist of inspiring women who are working in the property sector. The judges praised Emma’s work mentoring other professionals and giving opportunities to people who were starting out in their careers, as well as saying she “demonstrates exceptional people-focused leadership, combining strategic delivery with genuine compassion, inclusion and a strong commitment to developing others.”
Emma said: “I was genuinely surprised to be nominated for an award, and even more shocked when my name was announced as the winner on the night. I’ve been lucky that my career has taken me into roles where I’ve been able to help others, and I’d encourage anyone else in a similar position to provide as many opportunities as they can to people who may be facing barriers to progressing in their chosen industry.”
Emma hopes that her award will help inspire others to pursue a career in property. “When I started my career in Durham in the early 2000s it was rare to see women working in roles that involved facilities and estates,” she said. “I’m now finding many more young women want to make a career in the sector, and I hope I can be a role model to show them they can make it to the top.”
