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Sign upStrategic Framework
Our Purpose and Priorities
Real Estate Balance aims to be a leading agent for change in accelerating equity, diversity and inclusion in UK real estate and its associated sectors with a particular focus on gender, ethnicity and social mobility.
We believe UK real estate and its associated sectors should be representative of the communities it is a vital part of and provide opportunities to shape our built environment regardless of individual background. Our purpose is to support our members on their EDI journeys and contribute to the enhanced performance of our industry.
We were formed in 2015 by seven women to address the gender imbalance at senior levels in real estate businesses. We continue to call for an improvement in representation of women on Boards and in senior leadership positions and back the 40% targets set out in the FTSE Women Leaders Review.
We also advocate for the key recommendations and actions relating to ethnic diversity established by the Parker Review and encourage organisations to aim for workforces reflective of the Census data on ethnicity in the locations where they are based and operate. Like the Social Mobility Foundation, we think success should be determined by ability, not by where someone was born, went to school or by the occupation of their parents or guardians.
Our Structure
We are a membership organisation comprising different types and sizes of businesses operating within UK real estate and which share a vision for a more equitable, diverse and inclusive industry.
We are led by an action-orientated Board of Directors who have determined this strategic framework and who are the key decision-making and oversight body for Real Estate Balance. They are informally advised by the experienced and influential real estate leaders and Real Estate Balance ambassadors in our Patrons Group.
Our Committees and Networks are cross-company groups and provide individuals from members the opportunity to be meaningfully involved with Real Estate Balance. The NextGen Committee represents up-and-coming professionals and the Parents’ Network is an active community of parents from across our membership.
The Executive Team works with our Board, Committees and Networks, carries out the day-to-day functions of Real Estate Balance and comprises our Managing Director, Head of Operations, Policy and Campaigns Manager, Head of Events, Head of Public Relations and Communications and an Administrator.
Our Focus
The most recent Industry EDI Survey, CEO Breakfast roundtable sessions with industry leaders and conversations at Board level and across our membership have led to a renewed focus in making impactful interventions and facilitating collaboration and the sharing of best practices in three key areas:
CEO and industry accountability
Strengthening engagement with the CEOs at REB members, increasing our collective influence on the industry and holding ourselves and our members to account on furthering the representation of genders, ethnicities and social backgrounds, particularly at senior levels.
Inclusive leadership
Developing activities for managers of people to progress their inclusive leadership skills and consequently further EDI across our industry. Refocusing on initiatives to increase the progression of women to senior leadership positions.
Research and data
Championing widespread and standardised diversity data collection across our membership. Increasing participation in the REB Industry EDI Survey and enhancing our benchmarking tool. Paying due attention to the influence of emerging technologies on EDI.
Our Tactics and Tools
The methods we use to progress EDI across UK real estate and its associated sectors are:
Members
Real Estate Balance members are all advocates for EDI, and we provide practical support to them to help them on our journeys in lots of different ways and however it is required. We also expand our membership on an ongoing basis so that any change we impact is as widespread as possible and lasting.
Research
We survey our members and their staff every two years in the most comprehensive EDI research in UK real estate and share the findings and insights across our membership. Our NextGen Committee also ask the under-35s on their views on accessing the industry, the prevalence of inappropriate attitudes and behaviours in the sector and more.
Events
Our events include roundtables, panel discussions, speed mentoring and more and are forums for the sharing of ideas and best practices. They also provide access to senior leaders and influencers on a cross-company basis for up-and-coming and diverse industry participants.
Resources
Our online presence makes us a preeminent provider of EDI resources in UK real estate and encompasses the ‘Our work’ section of our website, EDI Toolkit, member-only EDI newsletter and popular social media channels.
Public relations
Our active programme of media engagement is intended to keep the industry informed on the EDI activities and initiatives of Real Estate Balance and our members and to give prominence to EDI in the real estate industry news agenda.