This week, the co-founders of OpenLand, a new networking group for LGBT property professionals in the Midlands, are sharing their thoughts with Estates Gazette on the importance to the sector of maintaining a focus on diversity.
Writing for the practice & law section, Rob Hudson, group finance director at St Modwen Properties, and Paul Barker, partner and property litigator at Higgs & Sons, explain their motivations for founding OpenLand.
As they put it: “The property, real estate and construction sector has the power to make significant changes to the lives and prospects of people and businesses. It is a fast-moving and dynamic arena to work in.
“Yet, for a sector brimming with energy, spearheading change and development, it is still one steeped in traditions, codes and unwritten conventions. With few property-related organisations making it into lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights charity Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers 2016, it is clear that, when it comes to embracing change, one area in which the property sector has lagged behind is diversity.”
They cite Stonewall’s research as demonstrating that when employees bring their “whole self” to work, and know they can be open and honest about who they are without fear of discrimination or bigotry, it can be very good for business.
They say: “People perform better when they can be themselves. But the LGBT community working in property has traditionally kept a low profile, with many not ‘coming out’ to colleagues and employees until relatively recently, and many more still not having done so.”
OpenLand, which launches officially in July, seeks to address the equality gap experienced by LGBT people in the sector in the Midlands, offering a safe, inclusive and confidential platform where LGBT individuals working in real estate, property and construction can promote their achievements and raise their profile.
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