How can young people from under-represented backgrounds progress in an industry with a diversity problem?
One way is to gain access to mentors who can help them navigate their career path. Bringing the two groups together was the idea behind an exciting online speed mentoring event hosted by Real Estate Balance in partnership with Property Week.
Taking place on Zoom, the event offered real estate professionals at an early stage in their career the chance to meet a senior industry leader for a confidential conversation around their career aspirations and discover valuable skills, knowledge and insights.
40 mentees participated in the hour-long event, which took the form of 30-minute one-to-one speed mentoring sessions, followed by a group discussion. A mentor line-up of 11 senior industry figures were secured for the event and places were snapped up in record time.
I’m totally sold on mentoring sessions now. Each group can learn from the other.
One surveyor mentee said: “I think for people of our age, it’s important to get this rare opportunity to speak to senior leaders’, while Sue Brown, managing director of Real Estate Balance said: “I’m totally sold on mentoring sessions now. Each group can learn from the other.”
The Meaningful team played a lead role in producing the event on behalf of Real Estate Balance, both conceiving the idea and taking it all the way through to execution. We secured an incredible mentor lineup – with 5 CEOs in total – including:
Amanda Clack, Head of Strategic Advisory, CBRE
Ayesha Ofori, Founder & CEO, PropElle Network
Brian Bickell, CEO, Shaftesbury PLC
Ciaran Bird, CEO UK & Ireland, CBRE
David Sleath, Chief Executive, SEGRO plc
Fran Giltinan, Customer Experience Senior Director, Foxtons
Jessica TOMLINSON, Head of Real Estate London, Barclays Corporate Banking
Liz Peace, Chair, Real Estate Balance
Michela Hancock, Managing Director, Greystar Europe
Steven Skinner, UK CEO, HB Reavis UK
Victoria Quinlan, Managing Director – Investment Management, Lendlease
Real Estate Balance is a non-profit organisation which aims to address the lack of diversity at senior levels of the property industry.
Read the Property Week event writeup
