Practical initiatives to unite the Scottish real estate sector behind the principles of diversity and inclusivity will be put forward and discussed at an industry event in Edinburgh tomorrow.

Led by the Scottish and British Property Federations (BPF), the Association of Women in Property, Freehold and Revo, the event will focus on inspiring best practice in the workplace and the built environment to allow people and businesses to flourish.

The aim is to create a collective force for progress, with panel discussions on inclusive place-making and building a more diverse and inclusive industry.

Chairing the event will be Brenda Jones, developments manager for Stornoway Port Authority, and currently delivering their 2017 master plan. She has over 20 years’ experience in managing construction projects throughout Scotland and is the outgoing National Chairman of the Association of Women in Property.

She said: “The real estate sector is vital to our economy and for any economy to thrive it must embrace the economic, social and business benefits of genuinely diverse organisations and places. I believe we can do that. As an industry, we can influence how places are designed, how they work for the people who live and work there – and we can start to do that by ensuring that our own organisations are attracting the best talent and creative thinking the industry needs.”

David Melhuish, director of the Scottish Property Federation (SPF), added: “This Diversity and Inclusivity Forum builds on similar successful events run by the British Property Federation and partners in London and Manchester, and I’m delighted that BPF President Paul Brundage will be joining the debate to lend a global perspective on these key issues. As an industry we have a pivotal role in inclusive place-making and appealing effectively to the changing communities in which we live and work.

“The event aims to ensure everyone is united behind these goals and that we are capable of meeting the challenge and opportunities in Scotland effectively.”

The Diversity & Inclusivity Forum takes place on June 26, 2018, at the SPF Office in Edinburgh. Speakers include: