COMMENT In recent years, the real estate industry has made significant steps towards being more inclusive of all individuals, but there is a long way still to go. For that reason, we are immensely proud to be partnering on the Future Leaders project to help the push towards a more diverse real estate sector. We are looking forward to working with the participants to help raise awareness and realise the shared ambition of creating long-lasting change in the real estate sector.
Georgina Watt’s participation in the programme will not only enhance her confidence and skills, but will help her create a network of diverse talented individuals from across the real estate industry. This network will be play a leading role in promoting the diversity and inclusion agenda as Georgina and her colleagues progress in their careers as the leaders of the future.
For all of us at Taylor Wessing, diversity and inclusion is not just a buzzword. Nurturing a diverse workforce which allows all our talent to flourish is core to our strategy as firm. We have a long history of initiatives in this area. As a firm, we were one of the founders of Freehold, a leading network for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies working in the real estate sector. We are also members of Real Estate Balance, which champions female talent in the industry.
At Taylor Wessing, we are driving the diversity agenda to continue to support people in enabling them to be true to their identities in their professional careers. Diverse teams are more creative, and by enabling a culture of openness at the firm we can continue to innovate in the services we deliver to our clients.
We firmly believe that talent knows no distinctions, and our engagement with candidates who wish to join us looks well beyond the contents of their CVs to the individuals themselves. We want to recruit the best people to our business, so we maintain an open dialogue with our employees from the recruitment process through their entire career at the firm.
We also actively look to widen access to people from under-represented groups. For instance, we partner with Aspiring Solicitors to open up our trainee talent pool. We have been recognised for some of our achievements in diversity and inclusion and we are proud to be ranked in the Stonewall Top 100 Employers Index. By partnering with EG on this initiative, we hope to contribute to the conversation and continue the excellent work that has been begun by others.
Georgina is already an excellent rounded lawyer, held in great esteem by clients and colleagues alike. By participating in the Future Leaders programme, she is stepping out of her comfort zone and challenging herself and we all look forward to benefitting from the experiences and insights that she will obtain.
Keith Barnett is head of UK real estate at Taylor Wessing
