🎙️ Women in Agency, Pride in Property & the Power of People

In this unfiltered, hilarious, and genuinely moving episode of The Viking Chats, I sit down with the inimitable Amy Shields—a name that’s become synonymous with leadership, allyship, and transformation in UK estate agency. Whether you know her from her 16-year career as a high-flying agent, her pivotal role at Smart Compliance, or her advocacy through Women in Estate Agency, this conversation peels back the layers on what really drives her—and what needs to change in our industry.

🔥 Career Switches, Self-Discovery & Shattering Expectations

We kick off with a bang, talking about Amy’s leap from a glamorous media career in Soho to becoming a powerhouse in the property world. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t exactly a straight line—and that’s what makes it so damn relatable. Amy shares the moment she walked away from a film degree and a career in TV production to chase something that felt more authentic. It wasn’t a calculated pivot—it was about following the buzz. Sound familiar?

🎯 Agency Life: From 12 Years at Romans to the C-Suite

Amy opens up about her 16-year agency career—12 of which she spent at Romans—culminating in branch management roles that gave her deep insight into the frontline challenges and structural barriers within the industry. She explains why she consciously chose not to climb the corporate ladder into area management and how that decision was the first of many that prioritised people over performance spreadsheets.

👩‍💼 The Birth of a Supplier With Soul

Today, Amy’s the Director of Sales at Smart Compliance, but don’t let the word “compliance” fool you into thinking this is a boring chat. Far from it. We dive into the real-world implications of AML, PEPs, SIPs, and why 48% of Smart Compliance’s ID checks still require human intervention. Tech can do a lot—but without people, it’s not the full picture. And Amy? She’s leading the charge to bring clarity, accountability, and support to agents who’d otherwise be navigating this minefield alone.

🏳️‍🌈 Coming Out, Coming Into Her Own & Creating Space for Others

This episode also takes a powerful, personal turn as Amy opens up about her coming out journey, the fear of disappointing family, and how she navigated it all while trying to build a career in a male-dominated, heteronormative industry. Her honesty is raw, refreshing, and vital—especially for those wondering if they can truly bring their whole selves to work.

🤝 Women in Estate Agency: A Movement, Not Just a Moment

We close with a deep dive into the Women in Estate Agency movement—a group that’s redefining what support and progression look like for women in property. Amy shares what goes on behind the scenes of this powerhouse group, why men should be showing up to these events, and how changing the conversation around diversity, equity and inclusion has made her a better leader, partner, and human being.

💬 You’ll Laugh. You Might Cry. But You’ll Definitely Learn Something.

Whether you’re in agency, on the supplier side, managing a team, or just want to be a better ally or advocate, this episode is a must-listen. It’s about more than houses. It’s about humans.

💡 Key Topics:

• The reality of switching careers (and industries) mid-flight
• How compliance isn’t boring—when it’s done right
• Why 48% of AML checks still need human touch
• The highs and lows of coming out in your 20s
• Why Women in Estate Agency is reshaping the industry

🎧 Press play, share with a friend, and join the conversation. And if you haven’t already—mar

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