DCS_AGM 2019 – heralded a phenomenal success…!!
With a clear objective to galvanise those operating within the surveying profession (and others from across the built environment) typically, from a non-traditional - or BAME - background, the DCS_AGM held on 21/11/19 at RICS HQ, in Parliament Square was a resounding success.
The collective effort of all DCS Board & Committee members [listed below], translated into a game-changing event that went some way to demonstrate the extent to which the current and emerging talent pool, seamlessly cuts across an array of protected characteristics, including but not restricted to, age, (dis)ability, gender, race and religion; all premised upon their technical competence – thus demonstrating that the surveying profession is indeed a diverse, cultural melting pot of many origins and capabilities.
DCS Board Members:
Bola Abisogun OBE FRICS; Founder / Chair
Justin Carty MRICS; Vice-Chair
Karen Ching MRICS; Head of Personal Development
Samuel May MRICS; Head of UK & Global Strategy
Faith Locken MRICS; Head of Strategic Planning & Growth
Alexander Smith MRICS; Head of Corporate Hospitality
Arnold Musisi MRICS; Head of Member Engagement - Training
Audrey Vanderpuye MRICS; Head of Member Engagement - Events
Committee Members:
Sunny Obasuyi; External Engagement Manager
Nana Gdadyu; Internal Engagement Manager
Luke Halls; Internal / External Strategy Manager
So Sum Lee; Internal Engagement / External Strategy Manager
Georgina Walker; Data and Social Media Manager /
Joel Ampah, External Engagement Manager
Mission Statement:
Our raison d’etre – is to promote visibility of the BAME talent pool [in Surveying] for consideration and economic participation in the investment, planning, development, management, decommissioning and recycling of built assets, across the globe.
We are also confident that DCS is not only a welcome component to the historic challenge of ‘Supplier Diversity’ in the UK, providing access to a network of independent consultants and businesses, but will also be referred to as ‘a credible constituent’ when Clients and project owners – across the globe – are looking to assemble their teams of professional advisors, who are all trained and qualified RICS professionals.
Following the initial networking session, there was a short introduction by Alexander Smith [Events Manager], DCS Founder and Chair, Bola Abisogun OBE delivered a personal, but rousing introduction, designed to introduce the context of the panel discussion, hosted by Faith Locken.
Faith pitched a short ‘problem statement’ to the audience which was followed by the introduction and invitation of each of the panel members, listed below..
Nero Ughwujabo, former Special Adviser to Prime Minister Theresa May
Alexander Smith MRICS, DCS Board Member _ Assistant Director, Real Estate – Deloitte LLP
Natalie Carter, Associate, Commercial Real Estate, Greenberg Traurig
With standing room only, a lively and informed discussion took place with several thought-provoking questions posed by the audience, in response to the topics that were broached by the panel. All in all, there was insufficient time to accommodate all questions but the attendees left with renewed vigour and an urge to continue to conversation at their respective places of work. One attendee Micheal Mushota, was so inspired he decided to openly share the summary of his positive experience, on LinkedIn, seen here
As DCS progresses towards incorporating into to a fully-fledged trading entity offering, at its core, a portfolio of ‘pro-bono’ services to students and aspiring #NextGen practitioners, we recognise the immediate need to raise the current industry offer to our clients, including the education [i.e. primary, secondary, FE and HE], voluntary and third sectors, all of whom are clearly desirous of RICS led information and guidance to support and sustain the growth of their BAME cohorts both nationally and across the globe.
