Just four property professionals have been named on the OUTstanding list of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender role models in business, published by the Financial Times.
Shaftesbury chief executive Brian Bickell, Tuffin Ferraby Taylor partner David Mann, Aitch Group finance director Simon Stedman and St Modwen finance director Robert Hudson were among 100 business leaders recognised as role models.
British Land chief executive Chris Grigg and St Modwen group finance director Robert Hudson were also named on a list of Ally Executives, who champion diversity in the workplace.
Kelly Canterford, a senior surveyor at JLL, made the Top LGBT Future Leaders list of 30 individuals who are making a significant difference to LGBT inclusion and are ones to watch for future leadership roles.
Mann, who with Bickell is on the board of property industry LGBT group Freehold, said: “With encouragement and support from Freehold and its almost 800 members, the real estate sector is now beginning to address LGBT inclusion and the wider diversity agenda.
“The traditional and stuffy image of property is being challenged as businesses understand the need to create environments where people can be themselves. Diversity is good for business and good for the bottom line.”
Bickell, who was also recognised in the 2014 edition of the list, added: “Freehold has made great progress in raising the profile of the LGBT community within the real estate sector.”
