The British Property Federation has unveiled new initiatives around data, diversity, social impact and more as part of its campaign to boost the social and economic good the property industry can provide to communities.
At the organisation’s annual dinner, BPF president and Grainger chief executive Helen Gordon (pictured) announced a series of initiatives under the Redefining Real Estate campaign, which was launched in July.
The campaign is “committing our industry to making a greater contribution to the UK’s communities and to improve trust in what we do”, Gordon said.
Initial projects to come from the campaign include the establishment of a Real Estate Data Foundation, which the BPF said will help companies to exchange information more efficiently.
Real Estate Data Foundation founder Dan Hughes said: “There are certain issues to be negotiated in the sharing, use and stewardship of data that are outside the means of individual companies to resolve, particularly where they involve cooperation or coordination with others. We hope to harness industry expertise to arrive at practical advice and research to help practitioners on their data journey.”
A partnership between the BPF and BAME in Property, an initiative promoting diversity in the real estate industry, was also announced with the goal of encouraging recruitment from a wider range of backgrounds.
“With nearly 45% of London classifying as black, Asian or minority ethnic, and 14% of the UK as BAME, our involvement with the BPF is not only timely but important,” said Priya Shah, BAME in Property’s founder. “The role of planning and real estate is to deliver diverse and inclusive communities, and I am delighted to be able to join forces with a leading organisation to support and advise them in their work.”
Other early projects from the Redefining Real Estate campaign include a new partnership with the property industry charity LandAid to help tackle youth homelessness. That partnership will also look at how BPF members can offer training and jobs to young people that the charity supports.
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