As if to further demonstrate the need to celebrate and promote 'current day' icons across the professions that have made significant contributions throughout their careers, we at DiverseCity Surveyors are taking one last opportunity for 2019, to do just that. On the 29 October 2019, at The Claudia Jones Organisation based in Hackney, east London, the official book launch of Dr Gifty Edila, industry legend, mentor and friend to many was held. Titled, Defying Expectations, the book chronicles the phenomenal life and remarkable achievements of Dr Edila. Without giving too much away, the book defines how Dr Edila worked hard, stayed focussed and was ultimately rewarded for her unfailing efforts.

Black History Month 2019 #BHM2019, has been full of ‘established’ conversations premised upon the ‘need to remember the past’ and recognise those significant contributors within it. Well, for many, #BHM2019 has been a strategic focus on the future and on the 25 October 2019 - as part of a joint effort by RIBA London and the Paradigm Network – a 'fast paced presentation' type event was held in the Hatton Garden area of Central London. But what is a Pecha Kucha ‘PK’, (I hear you ask?); put simply, it is an event of Japanese origin, which aims to tell a story via a series of presentations that are individually curated with upto 20 slides, each slide with upto 20 seconds of commentary. The ‘offi

On the 17 October 2019 and as part of the evolutionary journey at RICS, the formal process of Member elections has commenced and will conclude on 21 November 2019. The results of the successful members elected to serve on Governing Council will be announce in exactly 1 month, on Friday 22 November 2019. Of particular relevance to DCS Members is the fact that our first AGM will be held on the same day as voting ends; more coincidence than anything else. Notwithstanding, and of equal importance to DCS Members, is the purpose and criticality, of both signature events. Similar to RICS, the purpose of the DCS AGM will be to sufficiently set out and articulate the future actions of our organisatio

In seeking to further embellish the quality of existing #BAME excellence across the entire talent pool focussing on [long standing] Members of the DiverseCity Surveyors network, we are taking this opportunity to promote one of our most senior and loyal members. For the record, Mr Oloyede will be the first President of Black origin to hold the prestigious position at the Local Authority Building Control [LABC], and for his appointment to be confirmed during Black History Month (2019), makes for a truly special announcement. Well done Anthony! All members of the DCS network are offered the privilege to pen an article of interest to them, whilst potentially benefitting DCS members. This article

The run upto the 9th October 2019, was tense and somewhat filled with trepidation as the reality of almost three years work came to fruition. The very early conversations centred around the need to ‘disrupt’ the prevalent and counter-productive silo’d thinking which was more a question of when than if, and by whom. And, as an industry, if we were ever going to successfully attempt to quantify and address the chronic under-employment and service [or solve] the lauded ‘skills shortage’ we really needed to promote a new concept of ‘pragmatic collaboration’ overlaid with Social Value. It had to happen, and the question soon became, “who would have the patience and charisma to unpick and unpack t

September has proved to be a very busy period, in the lead up to the celebration of Black History Month, which starts today [01/10/19]. Fittingly, DiverseCity Surveyors 'DCS' have finally established a trio of strategic, industry alliances with the progression of a number of innovative ideas, all with the common denominator of creating a more inclusive workforce across the UK. Kath Moore MBE, Managing Director of Women into Construction 'WiC', has for many years, had a huge and positive impact on the identification and development of female participants engaging with and pursuing careers across the UK construction industry. As part of our value proposition to the sector, DCS founder and Chai