A joint commitment to a more inclusive industry

The business case for a commitment to an inclusive, accessible and representative built environment sector is as strong as ever, and continues to be vital if we are to ensure that the industry is financially viable in the long term.

After CIOB and eight other leading professional bodies last year renewed our collective commitment to promoting a welcoming and diverse built environment sector for the benefit of all, we’ve now launched a new five-year EDI Action Plan that sets out our shared objectives, and details the actions that will aim to achieve them.

With a combined membership of over 400,000 professionals, the institutes that have committed to driving culture change across the sector are: The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT), Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES), Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Landscape Institute (LI), Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), and Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

At the time of signing, Dr Victoria Hills, now CEO of the CIOB, said: “Re-signing the MoU sends a clear message: our dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion remains unwavering. We’ve achieved a great deal over the past three years, but by continuing to collaborate, we can build on that momentum and go further, faster.”

Key workstreams

The action plan announced this month has three key workstreams:

A continued focus on data collection and analysis recognising the need for a comprehensive, reliable and consistent profile of the professions to inform our actions and allow us to monitor the impact of our activities
A look at the recruitment pipeline, helping to addressing the skills gaps and promoting a representative workforce by addressing barriers to employment in the sector
And finally, a set of actions on workplace culture and behaviour to ensure high professional standards and promote the retention of under-represented groups, driving a positive culture for the benefit of all professionals working within the built environment.