RICS members, staff and partners in the built environment gathered, June 8, for discussions on the role each and every person plays in advancing inclusion for LGBTQ+ professionals.
The event started with opening comments from Chris Alder, RICS Executive Director for Profession and Advocacy, highlighting the steps RICS is taking to go beyond words and get into action to increase diversity, equity and inclusion both in and outside the organisation.
Three panel discussions followed focusing on the critical need for greater and more meaningful data and insights, the importance of visible role models, and how we will all need to work together to shape a stronger culture of inclusion in the profession.
Panel 1: The importance of visible role models, moderated by Natalie Patrick, Senior Building Surveyor at JLL
Panellists:
Mark Capanda, Senior Associate Director at PNB Paribas Real Estate
Joanne Towers MRICS, Lead Agricultural Valuer at Valuation Office Agency
Mark Bennett MCIOB, Senior Project Manager at BW and Co-chair of Building Equality
Rico Naylor, Graduate Surveyor at JLL
Panel 2: A discussion on Data & Insights, moderated by Samantha McCLary, Editor at Estates Gazette
Panellists:
Mark Harrison, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Transformation at CIOB
Gaynor Warren-Wright FRICS, Arbitrator at Warren Wright Associates
Andrea Southall, Senior Data Analyst at RICS
Carrie Mathieson, Head of Capability and Culture at RICS
Panel 3: Advancing inclusion for LGBTQ+ professionals, moderated by Kelly Canterford MRICS, Founder of Tigrou Consulting
Panellists:
Sarah Draper, Partner and Head of People and Culture at Rider Levett Bucknall
Machel Bogues, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at RTPI
Sybil Taunton, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at RICS
James Brandon, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Responsible Business Manager at CBRE
