Introducing CIOB’s new EDI Advisory Panel Chair

It filled me with immense pride to take on the role of Chair of the CIOB Equality Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Advisory Panel earlier this month, succeeding Trustee Chris Keast. 

Chris has left a wonderful legacy with the foundations he built, and I am honoured to have been selected to continue this great work. My role as chair is currently in addition to my role as the Tomorrow’s Leaders Representative for London, which has enabled me to see the impact the panel can have on the respective Hubs.

EDI panel vision 

The EDI panel comprises a range of experts who are committed to helping us achieve our EDI Action Plan, led by CIOB Head of EDI Transformation, Mark Harrison, and EDI Project Officer, Elena Dove-Edwin. 

The panel’s vision is to promote a built environment sector that welcomes all, has a diverse workforce that reflects the society it serves, and embeds inclusive practices in its operation. As a panel, our role is to support the CIOB in providing leadership on this agenda, helping to ensure that our industry is attractive, accessible, and rewarding for everyone. 

We are proud to have a panel in which each member brings a diversity of thought and experience from across construction, supply chain management, the public sector, and academia. Our wonderful panel comprises the Vice Chair Christina Riley, Adam Sanford, Emma Nicholson, Hollie-Marie Cregan, Karen Blay, Patrick Edwards, Sian Dunne, and Vinoth Sacitharan.

Industry impact 

The CIOB is recognised as a current leader in the construction industry, with strong links to policymaking in the UK Parliament and significant influence in the sector. I have no doubt that the CIOB’s contributions will be impactful. 

The hard work being undertaken through the Action Plan will yield rewards across the industry as we continue to educate and build upon established foundations. The greater the voice we create as a community, the more influential we will be in the industry, and this will naturally strengthen as we continue our collaboration with other industry bodies through the B.E.Inclusive collective (which includes CIOB, ICE, RIBA, RICS, RTPI & LI).

Current work 

Some of the great initiatives already making significant progress include the D&I Charter, EDI Ambassadors, and CPD courses. The D&I Charter aims to help the sector advance its inclusion agenda, offering five key commitments that employers can sign up to in order to guide their own organisations. Find out more here.

The EDI Ambassadors programme gives our Hub Committees a chance to engage with one another and receive support through quarterly meet-ups, further amplifying our members’ voices. The CPD courses provide members with the opportunity to learn at their own pace and gain a deeper understanding of EDI beyond surface-level discussions. More information about the CPD courses can be found here.

In addition to the excellent work being done internally, the CIOB has been making significant strides externally. Collaboration with other industry bodies has become a powerful movement. Over the past two years, I have personally observed a rise in collaborative events that increase diversity of thought among members, which can only enhance how we design and construct buildings for our diverse communities.

There is still much work ahead, but I am confident that, with the guidance of our knowledgeable and well-equipped panel, the CIOB is in an excellent position to remain a leading voice for positive change. 

The EDI AP remains vital in the climate the construction industry culture faces itself in, given the skills gap, persistent underrepresentation of the communities we serve and lack of diversity of thoughts in building our diversifying communities. I have no doubt the EDI AP will continue to challenge the CIOB and ensure the culture of our industry is forward thinking, welcoming and inclusive for all.