The Leaders Perspective - How Do We Improve Diversity, Inclusion & Equality within our Industry?

Ayesha Ofori, is a multi-award - winning property investment specialist and recognised leading businesswoman in the UK. She is the CEO & Founder of Black Property Network, which financially empowers people of black heritage and other underrepresented groups, by focusing on increasing their financial literacy and helping them on their journey toward financial stability - through property investment. Ayesha also founded PropElle (Network), a property and self-investment community for women. Finally she is a Director of one of the few FCA authorised Property CrowdFunding platforms, LEO CrowdFunding. Ayesha, graduated with an MSci in Physics from Imperial College London and was awarded the Imperial College Emerging Alumni Leader Award in 2020. She started her career at Morgan Stanley as a Real Estate Investment Analyst and Investment Banker, before attending London Business School where she completed her MBA. She then joined Goldman Sachs as an Ultra High Net Wealth adviser where she was promoted to Executive Director and had a successful career. Ayesha won the 2019 Women of the Future Award (for Real Estate, Infrastructure & Construction), she is one of Management Today’s 35 Women Under 35, she was also named one of “15 Women of the Future you need to know” by The Telegraph newspaper. She is a wife and mother of a three year old “mini-me“ in the making.

Melanie joined the British Property Federation in 2015, following nine years as Director General of the Food and Drink Federation. Melanie began her working life as a Police Constable in the Metropolitan Police Service. She joined HM Customs in 1988 and subsequently held senior roles in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Office of the Rail Regulator and the Cabinet Office. Her role is to champion UK real estate and to promote a sustainable partnership between governments and the sector to deliver a high quality built environment.

Helping clients think more strategically about their real estate. Strong understanding of businesses, their drivers and people, as workplaces become more ‘people centric’. PropTech enthusiast. I have a passion for real estate and the urban environment. I am a Senior Consultant and Chartered Surveyor at CBRE and Co-Founder of CREation Property Network, creating and enhancing opportunities for people just starting out in property, seeking to improve diversity & inclusion. My professional experience includes Strategic Consulting, Workplace Strategy, Portfolio Optimisation, Development and Account/ Transaction Management.

As Global CEO of RICS, Sean is responsible for direction and performance of the organisation. Sean supports the Governing Body of the profession in evolving strategic priorities and goals, and is accountable to the Management Board for delivering expected performance set out in their three-year Business Plan. Sean leads the progress of our vision which aims to ensure our professional credentials and standards continue to create trust & confidence in markets and ensure RICS is known for effecting positive change in built & natural environments. He places high priority on encouraging greater industry diversity and inclusiveness. Prior to joining RICS, Sean was Director of financial services company, Prudential, responsible for retail and corporate marketing and distribution. Sean holds non-executive directorships with Institute of Internal Auditors and Broadland St Benedicts. He's been awarded honorary doctorates by Heriot-Watt and Amity University, accompanied UK Prime Ministers on trade missions, and addressed political leaders at the United Nations on furthering Sustainable Development Goals