Tracey Lee is Finance Director and recently became Equity Partner at Hindwoods Property. Hard work, dedication and plenty of plate spinning mean she is making strides in an industry that is still male-dominated

Posted on 21 May 2025

Q: How would you sum up your role as Finance Director at Hindwoods?

A: I see my role as quite straightforward. Some might even say it’s a bit boring compared to other positions! My job is to ensure the financial health and stability of the business, which means a lot of behind-the-scenes work to keep everything running smoothly.

Q: When did you join Hindwoods, and what brought you to the company?

A: I joined Hindwoods in September 2018. Before that, I spent 26 years working for a construction company. Over that time, I pretty much did everything there was to do in my role, and I eventually outgrew the position. It was a smaller company, owned by a single director, and I reached a point where there wasn’t really anywhere else for me to progress. When the opportunity at Hindwoods came up, I jumped at the chance for a new challenge.

Q: Was your initial role at Hindwoods as Finance Director?

A: No, I actually started as the company accountant. The Finance Director role came later, after I’d had a chance to get to know the business and prove myself. Hindwoods is really good at recognising talent and promoting from within, so it felt like a natural progression.

Q: Was it always your plan to progress to Finance Director? How did that happen?

A: After about a year at Hindwoods, I saw all the promotions happening in other parts of the business. I thought, 'You know what? I want to be an FD'. I asked for progression during my appraisal, saying I’d love to become an Associate Director (AD). At the time, they’d never had an accounts team member become an AD, but I asked for it, and I was promoted. About a year later, I became Finance Director. It was something I really wanted, and I’m thrilled with how it worked out.

Q: Did you need formal qualifications to reach this level?

A: Most of my experience came from my previous company, where I handled everything from start to finish. I didn’t have any formal accounting qualifications, apart from good GCSE maths! I knew Sage Accounts inside out and could do everything with it. When I joined Hindwoods, I saw how they supported people’s training, so I decided to do my AAT [accounting] qualification to back up my knowledge.

Q: Your colleagues say you’re a 'fixer'. Is that part of the job or just who you are?

A: I think it’s a Tracey thing! My background is in financial office management, so I’m very organised and my time management is excellent. I don’t like missing deadlines, and I just make sure everything runs smoothly for everyone.

Q: How did it feel to become a female equity director at Hindwoods?

A: It’s amazing. Property is still a male-dominated industry, so it does feel like trailblazing. I’m proud of it, and I hope it encourages other women to aim high.

Q: Did you always feel you had a voice at board level?

A: Yes, I think Hindwoods has always been fair. Even before I was an equity director, I felt listened to in board meetings. Everyone in the company has a voice, and that’s one of the things I love about working here.

Q: What’s next for you at Hindwoods?

A: I want to continue helping Hindwoods grow and supporting the team. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.

Q: Any advice for women looking to progress in property or finance?

A: Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. I asked for progression, even when it hadn’t been done before, and it made all the difference. Back yourself, keep learning, and look for companies that support your growth.