Question 4

Commercial property professional

Personally, after my experience, I'm really sad to say that I wouldn't recommend the property industry to an ethnic minority.

Perhaps more senior appointments. I was trying to think of the most senior ethnic minority director at my company. Excluding some recent appointments, I struggle to think of who would be the most senior or prominent ethnic figure. Personally, after my experience, I'm really sad to say that I wouldn't recommend the property industry to an ethnic minority.

Surveyor

I saw loads of people from different backgrounds at interview stages or assessment centres at different firms, but the actual people who work there are white? So I don't get the logic…

Real estate brokerage professional

The core white/male-dominated industry [tries] not to give up much ground on their privileges.

I think the change and focus has been on gender diversity. In terms of BAME, very little has changed, if anything at all. I think the emphasis on gender diversity is harming racial diversity, as the core white/male-dominated industry [tries] not to give up much ground on their privileges.

Property lawyer

It pretends to have changed. In my 35 years fundamentals haven't really changed.

HR professional

People are starting to talk more about it, which is good.

From what I have seen so far I think people are starting to talk more about it, which is good. As someone who works in HR you do hear the words 'diversity' and 'inclusive' quite a lot and this always needs to be taken into consideration. However, I still think it has a long way to go in terms of diversity in the workplace.

Development consultant

I’ve always worked in diverse teams as I’m naturally drawn to them but this is usually gender diverse. Little has changed — the strong male culture still reigns.

Property researcher

This will happen gradually and organically.

The property industry is very insular, even though there is so much diversity in the type of work we do. There are many skills required that can attract relevant BAME candidates. There is a pecking order within the real estate industry, with commercial investment at the top and property management and research at the bottom. I can't see any quick way to increase ethnic diversity in property. This will happen gradually and organically.

Planning consultant

I see/hear diversity and inclusion at pretty much most events.

I am fairly new to the industry so cannot say from a BAME perspective. However, on a wider scale, I see/hear diversity and inclusion at pretty much most events — the value of this really is being recognised, although I fear for a lot of companies it is being used primarily as a marketing feature like International Women's Day.

Building surveyor

Blind CVs. Stop bias based on names or pre-checking on social media.

Planning consultant

Greater recognition of why ethnic minority areas thrive.

Greater recognition of the value of BAME communities and the environments they live in. Too many times have I heard primarily Asian/black urban areas be described as 'shitholes', whilst not fully understanding they often have thriving, entrepreneurial and dynamic retail centres — if more people in property appreciated that, they would understand why these centres can often succeed more than others.

Finance professional

I think everything is being done. You cannot educate someone that does not wish to learn.

London commercial office professional

Property can be lucrative.

Reaching out to communities not represented in property, going to disadvantaged areas to promote careers in property. School workshops by property firms to show BAME that a career in property can be lucrative and one can have a successful career in property.

HR professional

There are so many things that can be done to increase ethnic diversity.

Educate and train people. Allow those who are BAME to express and share their opinions on this topic as it is something that is very important to us. There are so many things that can be done to increase ethnic diversity: promote diversity in the workplace, influence leaders and management, communicate with others.

Architect

You need formal procedures which acknowledge the existence of racial bias which are accessible and transparent. Too many places I have worked are not able to demonstrate how they deal with this issue.

Commercial property professional

Racism is ingrained in the white middle classes.

There has been more diversity. But racism is ingrained in the white middle classes. Hence education on racism, how it affects people, and why it is wrong needs to [be] addressed as soon as possible.

Sustainability professional

Target grad/recruitment programmes at a wider set of unis and colleges.

Promote property as a career path to schools, and property firms should target grad/recruitment programmes at a wider set of unis and colleges that teach related topics. There are far too many Reading and Oxford Brooks grads around.

Residential professional

Succeeding in the industry is about being in the right place at the right time.

I'm not sure how hiring processes work, but I don't think that working in the property industry is necessarily the most accessible career path to go down if you are from an ethnic minority. Succeeding in the industry is about being in the right place at the right time and who you know, not necessarily what you know, unlike other industries which are more diverse.

Property lawyer

Clients should lead the change and challenge organisations that offer services.