News

Real Estate Balance appoints Peace as chair

News

Samantha McClary

23 March 2020

Institutional

Gender diversity body Real Estate Balance has appointed former British Property Federation chief executive Liz Peace as its new chair.

Peace will work alongside new REB managing director Sue Brown, who takes over from Kaela Fenn-Smith at the end of this month.

Peace will oversee the strategic direction of Real Estate Balance, chairing a management committee comprising men and women leaders from across real estate, working together to secure a future in which women represent half the industry’s senior positions.

She replaces Vivienne King, who is standing down at the end of March after four years in the post. King will continue as a member of Real Estate Balance’s management committee.

King said: “As a founder member, Liz was instrumental in establishing the organisation, and she has been a driving force behind our campaign for a better-balanced real estate sector. With Liz as chair and Sue as MD, we’re in a fantastic position to support real change in our industry.

It’s been a privilege to chair Real Estate Balance over a period of extraordinary growth. I see this as testament to the commitment of our industry to shake off its traditional image and publicly adopt equality as a given. I also see it as evidence of the credibility of the Real Estate Balance core business purpose in supporting leaders to achieve that commitment. Membership of Real Estate Balance is recognised as more than enabling our members to do better business – it enables them to contribute to a movement transforming our industry’s reputation in the public mind.”

Peace added: “Real Estate Balance is an incredible organisation with an important mission and I’m proud to be its new chair. With continued industry support, the dedication of our volunteers, and a dynamic new MD, I believe Real Estate Balance has an exciting future.”

Peace has more than 35 years’ experience in government and the property sector. She was chief executive of the BPF for 13 years until 2015, and now has a portfolio career including NED roles with both public and private companies, the chairmanship of a number of public sector bodies and trustee/chairmanships at a range of charities and not for profit organisations.

real estate balance

Gender diversity body Real Estate Balance has appointed former British Property Federation chief executive Liz Peace as its new chair. Peace will work alongside new REB managing director Sue Brown, who takes over from Kaela Fenn-Smith at the end of this month. Peace will oversee the strategic direction of Real Estate Balance, chairing a management committee comprising men and women leaders from across real estate, working together to secure a future in which women represent half the industry’s senior positions. She replaces Vivienne King, who is standing down at the end of March after four years in the post. King will continue as a member of Real Estate Balance’s management committee. King said: “As a founder member, Liz was instrumental in establishing the organisation, and she has been a driving force behind our campaign for a better-balanced real estate sector. With Liz as chair and Sue as MD, we’re in a fantastic position to support real change in our industry. It’s been a privilege to chair Real Estate Balance over a period of extraordinary growth. I see this as testament to the commitment of our industry to shake off its traditional image and publicly adopt equality as a given. I also see it as evidence of the credibility of the Real Estate Balance core business purpose in supporting leaders to achieve that commitment. Membership of Real Estate Balance is recognised as more than enabling our members to do better business – it enables them to contribute to a movement transforming our industry’s reputation in the public mind.” Peace added: “Real Estate Balance is an incredible organisation with an important mission and I’m proud to be its new chair. With continued industry support, the dedication of our volunteers, and a dynamic new MD, I believe Real Estate Balance has an exciting future.” Peace has more than 35 years’ experience in government and the property sector. She was chief executive of the BPF for 13 years until 2015, and now has a portfolio career including NED roles with both public and private companies, the chairmanship of a number of public sector bodies and trustee/chairmanships at a range of charities and not for profit organisations.