Question 1

Residential professional

Although I no longer feel like a foreigner, I still appear to be one.

It is better than it was when I started in 2016: I was working mainly with white men, and I felt like a foreigner. However, although I no longer feel like a foreigner, I still appear to be one: In an office of at least 100-150 people there are only between two and seven BAME staff here at a time.

Development professional

There is no obvious difference in the way I am treated.

Affordable housing consultant

There is still a lack of those in positions with more responsibility.

It is noticeable that I am a minority in the industry I work in. There is still a lack of those in positions with more responsibility, such as directors, who come from BAME backgrounds, particularly in the planning sector.

Planning consultant

It is not at all challenging.

It is not at all challenging — if anything, [it is] rewarding as [my race] allows me to educate others from a non-BAME background on my culture, etc. However, there are still certain sensitivities — for instance, disregard of political correctness in the office — that do create some awkward situations. This, however, is reflective of wider society and is by no means a problem just within the property industry.

Developer

I feel as though I am still one of the few. 

Unfortunately, I feel as though I am still one of the few. But it is great having groups and organisations who are focusing on raising the profile.

London office professional

It is difficult.

It is difficult, as many in the industry are not used to interacting with people who aren't white, or come from a different social, cultural and racial background.

Finance professional

I have seen a significant increase in the diversity of the people that work around me, and it is really great to see.

Technology professional

I don’t like the name.

I am new to the industry (less than a year). So far the most surprising thing I have experienced is the name of the BAME group (ethnicity group). I don’t like the name and feel it is not representative of what the network is trying to achieve. On raising my dislike of the name it was interesting to be told that a board of individuals (who look nothing like me and do not come from BAME backgrounds) were going to decide how I should be 'identified'.

Planning professional

It is still a bit of a novelty and my profession does not reflect the diversity of people it plans for.

HR professional

A multi-ethnic environment.

It’s nice to identify and be able to work in a multi-ethnic environment. It definitely makes me feel more comfortable to not be the only BAME person in the team or company.

Brokerage professional

I feel threatened that my progress in the organisation may be reversed.

I feel very isolated and there is a lack of opportunity to progress. Although this is my observation, I am lucky my company is not a UK-based company and my earlier manager was fantastic in giving me early progression. Now that he is no longer in the company I feel threatened that my progress in the organisation may be reversed.

Property researcher

There isn’t a shared experience or understanding.

I am not sure how to answer this question really. It is really hard to define an experience when you haven’t experienced the 'other'. But in some ways it can be challenging when you encounter situations where there isn’t a shared experience or understanding.

Development professional

I don't feel 'part of the club'.

On the SME side it is fairly common to find people from BAME backgrounds, but on the institutional side I don't feel 'part of the club'.

Architect

It is dispiriting. Structural racism is rife.

Chartered surveyor

Unless you know someone or are sponsored you will have no chance to progress.

The professional sector is closed to the Asian/black sector as you require sponsorship to progress after uni or a member and fellow to sign your RICS application. Unless you know someone or are sponsored you will have no chance to progress, hence most Asian/black uni graduates never enter the sector after completing their degree.