An Edinburgh estate agent has won national recognition for her leadership abilities at legal firm Ralph Sayer.
Tzana Webster, Head of Estate Agency at the firm, was crowned Leader of the Year Residential Small at the Inspiring Women in Property (IWiP) Awards 2026 in London.
The award recognised an individual who has displayed superlative leadership ability as an inspirational mentor or coach who, as an example to others, has raised standards of excellence across the UK residential sector.
Originally from Texas, Tzana has worked in the Edinburgh property sector for nearly 20 years with previous experience including roles at Warners and VMH Solicitors, joining Ralph Sayer in her current position in the summer of 2024.
In selecting Tzana, the judges highlighted her “community-led leadership, public engagement and industry advocacy” while also praising her “commercial success, support for gender equality and forward-thinking approach”.
Speaking of her pride at winning the prestigious honour, she said: “Awards can mean different things to different people but this one felt like a really big deal to me.
“I put a lot into the work I do every day and hearing my name called was just a brilliant moment. I really wanted to win but was trying hard not to get my hopes up because there were six of us shortlisted in the category and every woman on that list was there for a reason.
“To receive an award that recognises leadership, inclusion, innovation and the wider contribution I’ve made to the industry feels incredibly special.
“It almost feels like a culmination of a lot of years of hard work, and that is probably why this one means so much to me. I have built my entire professional career in Scotland.
“I’ve always felt very welcomed here, and was proud to represent a Scottish firm and the Edinburgh property industry on a UK-wide stage.”
She added: “I’ve probably always been a little bit of a disruptor in the industry. I’m louder than most, my accent is different, my name is different, and I’ve never really tried to fit myself into what an estate agent or a leader is ‘supposed’ to look or sound like.
“I’m unapologetically me, and I think there should be space in this industry for people to lead in very different ways. That also made winning an award specifically celebrating women in property feel particularly significant.
“Women are very well represented across the industry, but you don’t always see that same representation at senior leadership level, and there are still very real pressures and restrictions that can affect women’s career progression.”
The firm was also shortlisted for Next Generation Employer of the Year, the only Scottish company nominated in the category.
Ivan Ralph, Ralph Sayer CEO, said: “For a relatively small and newly established Scottish firm to have both the business shortlisted and one of its team win an individual national award was very pleasing, particularly when we were up against some prestigious names in the industry.
“We may be a smaller firm but recognition like this shows that size doesn’t necessarily dictate impact. You can still innovate, grow, challenge convention and make a meaningful contribution to the industry.”
