Property strives for gender balance
Property has a long way to go to catch up with other business sectors on the subject of diversity, according to a senior panel at the second Real Estate Balance event last month.
The debate, Untying Tomorrow’s Talent, examined the factors preventing women from moving through the career pipeline.
With a packed audience of men and women from property companies, advisers, lawyers and accountants, the event, hosted by CBRE, recognised the need for further progress to achieve a greater gender balance at board and executive management level across the real estate sector by 2021 – an issue at the heart of the Real Estate Balance vision.
Vivienne King, chair of Real Estate Balance, and Sue Clayton, executive director and chair of CBRE’s women’s network, told the audience the group would focus on practical solutions.
Walker said improved paternity leave and working flexibility for men would be beneficial, while Bill Hughes, head of real assets at Legal & General, suggested profiling successful women could help to encourage change. Spencer Stuart consultant Stuart Spurling advised companies to start a dialogue with women early in their careers and keep them engaged with support. Grainger chief executive Helen Gordon encouraged women to take risks throughout their careers, stretching into unfamiliar areas.
• The panel consisted of Helen Gordon; Bill Hughes, head of Real Assets at L&G; John Spurling; and Lorna Walker, director of CBRE Capital Markets.
CRASH cause
The construction industry’s nominated charity partner, CRASH, is providing aid to St Michael’s Hospice in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, with a grant of £30,000.
The money will be used to restore the hospice’s building, which was damaged by fire last year.
CRASH assists homeless and hospice charities with construction-related projects. As a non-government funded charity it relies entirely on the support from its patron partners and supporters in the construction sector.
To pledge your help or for more information, visit www.crash.org.uk
Hoteliers tri their best to help the young
Portsmouth’s Langstone Hotel, operated by Redefine BDL Hotels, recently took part in a charity Ironman, raising £2,000 for the Make-A-Wish foundation.
Staff at the hotel and colleagues from Redefine BDL Hotels collectively took on the challenge of a 2.4-mile swim, 115-mile cycle and 26.2-mile run – all within 24 hours.
Redefine BDL Hotels has pledged to raise £50,000 for Make-A-Wish in 2016. The charity grants wishes to enrich the lives of children and young people with life-threatening conditions.
Teams take on a woodland adventure
Eight employees from property firm KWB recently stepped up a gear to complete a cycle challenge along the HS2 Route.
Two teams completed the Bike on Track challenge to raise money for the Woodlands Adventure & Outdoor Learning, operated by the Birmingham Boys and Girls Union.
The challenge saw one team cycle north from London and the other cycle south from Manchester, totalling more than 200 miles.
Bike on Track is the first in a series of KWB-run fundraising events in aid of the charity, which focuses on making outdoor learning accessible to all children, with particular emphasis on those with disabilities, additional needs and from disadvantaged backgrounds.
KWB has so far raised more than £7,000.
Visit www.woodlandsadventure.co.uk for more information
Uni provides foundation in support
University Partnerships Programme has launched UPP Foundation support services to tackle issues faced by the UK higher education sector.
The foundation awards grants to universities, charities and other higher education bodies to support issues which include improving student employability, enhancing civic universities and developing global citizens.
One of the foundation’s first initiatives will partner student mental health charity Student Minds’ Student Living project, which delivers research-driven training and support.
Working in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University, the charity will help to create supportive environments for students.
The charity also equips students and staff with the tools to bring positive change on their campuses through campaigning and facilitating peer support programmes.
The UPP Foundation’s grant will help to ensure that students are provided with the knowledge, confidence and skills to look after their own mental health and to support others.
For more information on the foundation, visit www.upp-foundation.org
Celestial sculpture scoops praise
Rising star artist Alex J Wood has been named the winner of Picton’s Art Prize.
His winning sculpture, Celestial, will be placed outside Picton’s Angel Gate office in Islington, EC1.
Selected from a shortlist of 13 University of Arts London entries, Alex received £13,000 in prize money to create his bronze sculpture.
Picton plans to make the competition an annual event. For more information, visit www.pictonartprize.com
Canal run for coffers
DWF’s Jessica Holdsworth and her mum will run along the Leeds- Liverpool canal later this month, in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Covering the longest canal in northern England, the pair will run the 127 miles over nine consecutive days, starting 28 May.
To help them raise their £5,000 target and follow their challenge, visit www.justgiving.com/TeamHoldsworth
Pedelle-ing for Coram
The 2016 PedElle charity cycle, sponsored by Legal & General Real Assets, takes place on 23 May.
In its fourth year the event aims to get more women in the property industry on their bikes.
Riders will embark on a 425km cycle over three days, starting in Salzburg and finishing in Venice.
Money raised will go to Coram, the UK’s first children’s charity.
For more information, visit www.clubpeloton.org/index.php/pedelle/
Helping the homeless
There is still time to sign up for Carter Jonas Pedalthon on 20 May.
In association with LandAid, the event is aimed at supporting an end to homelessness in Yorkshire.
For more information and to register, www.yorkshirepedalthon.co.uk
Cycle to MAPIC launches
The 2016 King’s Cross Cycle to MAPIC launches on 19 May and you are invited to join some of property’s cycling enthusiasts.
The event will take place at Two St Pancras Square, King’s Boulevard Entrance, N1.
Book your place at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kings-cross-cycle-to-mapic-launch-event-tickets-24922821831
