Improving diversity in the property workforce is a shared ambition across the sector. A trio of new initiatives has recently been launched to attract and promote new talent into the industry.
BPF Futures
The British Property Federation started its first junior professional network this week to help professionals who have been working in the industry for fewer than 10 years access networking opportunities and the BPF’s policy expertise.
Melanie Leech, chief executive of the BPF, said: “To thrive as an industry, we need to be doing everything we can to attract and retain talent – and BPF Futures will be committed to achieving this by providing real estate’s junior professionals with opportunities to engage with the industry at large and better understand their potential contribution to our shared goals.”
Harvin Chohan, apprentice surveyor at CBRE, who will chair the BPF Futures advisory board, said: “BPF Futures provides a unique opportunity for future industry leaders to not only hear from, but more importantly engage with a wide array of individuals and institutions who play a pivotal role in the real estate industry.
“The network will seek to build bridges and connect today’s real estate leaders with the next generation, as well as help industry entrants get a grip on the policy landscape that impacts their work.”
A launch event will be held on 5 December.
RICS diversity guide
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors used last week’s Expo Real 2017 in Munich to launch a guide for senior industry professionals on how to promote diversity and inclusion in the industry.
“When you look around our sector, look around Expo now, wouldn’t it be great to see more women, and a greater diversity of people in the sector?” said RICS president Amanda Clack, a vivid point of red in a sea of blue and black suits.
“How can you go out and represent the societies you are serving if you are not representative as an organisation?”
Diversity and inclusion management in real estate – a practical guide for the CEO is a handbook for those at the top and how they can lead change in their organisations.
“What we really want CEOs to do is take this seriously, because it’s not just solving an issue; it makes business sense. That is what I have been pushing.”
She said it was important not just as an issue that needed addressing, but in terms of good business for the sector.
“We are in an industry where we are looking to attract absolutely the best people. When you have this war for talent, how do we make sure that people really know about real estate and construction as a career opportunity and how do we bring them into it?”
Key messages are focused on how diversity and inclusion make sound business sense; how D&I needs to be part of strategic plans; the position of chief executives as role models; and the changing legislative agenda. Offering support and visibility through initiatives such as mentoring are also encouraged in the guide.
Regeneration Brainery
Manchester-based developer Capital & Centric is tackling the problem of a lack of diversity in the industry with its own mentoring programme to inspire young people from varied backgrounds to start a career in regeneration.
Now, co-founder Tim Heatley wants to work with other property companies to roll out the project around the country.
“We wanted to target young adults at a point in their lives when they are looking to choose a career, and to see if we can encourage a much broader social and economic demographic into the industry,” he said.
“The education sector does not provide any signposting to property and regeneration, so that means that we miss out a huge amount on talent.”
Regeneration Brainery is a five-day programme of site tours, workshops, and talks from some of the most successful property figures in the North West. Designed to be fun and dynamic, Capital & Centric hopes to help participants develop valuable experience and contacts to include on their CVs and university applications.
The first event took place in August. The developer plans to run more programmes in Manchester and other major cities in the UK.
“We would like to hear from other organisations that are interested in taking part or even in running their own Regeneration Brainery,” Heatley said. “We would happily provide them with the platform, the information and everything that they will need to be able to do that.
“And so hopefully, we would like to think that over time there can be a series of these courses and classes happening across the UK, and as a result, really try and make a difference as to the professional line-up that you see in the sector as a whole.”
listen to a podcast about the Regeneration Brainery at https://estatesgazette.podbean.com
BPF Futures will be led by an industry advisory board:
■ Harvin Chohan, apprentice surveyor, CBRE (chair)
■ Will Greenslade, corporate business partner, British Land (treasurer)
■ Isabelle Hease, head of research and analytics, Ellandi (learning and development officer)
■ Lois Kay, development surveyor, Peel Environmental (regional officer)
■ Sophia Nesro, commercial property manager, ISG (engagement officer)
■ Kemi Oguntoye, property consultant, SAY Property Consulting (diversity and inclusivity officer)
■ Eleanor Thomas, senior BD executive, Ashurst (networking officer)
