What a kerfuffle this week’s Estates Gazette Big Question caused. It seems everyone has an opinion on whether real estate is the still the preserve of the privileged.
British Land chief executive and BPF president Chris Grigg last year challenged the industry to improve its diversity.
We asked our panel of 500 property professionals whether commercial real estate remains unfairly weighted towards the privileged and those with family connections.
Just over 33% believed this is the case and exactly the same amount didn’t think it had ever been an issue. Just under 10% said the problem was worse than ever before; just under a quarter felt that the situation was improving.
When asked how big a problem social inequality is compared with racial and gender equality in the sector, just over half said it was just as much of an issue, while nearly 30% said it was an issue but not as severe as others.
Just under 20% said they didn’t feel social inequality was anywhere near as big an issue as others in property.
Finally, on nepotism, only 15% of those surveyed said they felt it was a big problem with just under 40% saying they didn’t feel it was an issue.
What will the Tweeters have to say about that?
When we took the question to Twitter, responses came back thick and fast. “Is commercial real estate the preserve of the posh? Absolutely not. There are hundreds of successful people who aren’t from a ‘privileged’ background,” came one response.
“Clearly only plebs use Twitter!” was another.
emily.wright@estatesgazette.com
