How real estate can build relationships between tomorrow’s chief executives

COMMENT Every single one of us uses and benefits from the built environment, but for so many years it has been the same voices that are setting the agenda and controlling the narrative. The British Property Federation’s BPF Futures initiative has an important role to play in bringing together young and diverse views from across the real estate sector. The landscape is changing rapidly, with an urgent need to decarbonise, to address the issue of safety in our public realm and to create inclusive spaces, to name just a few concerns. I strongly believe that it will be young people in the industry, and their beliefs and ability to push for and deliver innovation, that will address the issues of today.    Learn and grow If you consider the start-up businesses that are entering the real estate sector, they are often proptech companies looking to solve an issue specific to young people, such as housing affordability for renters and first-time buyers. At the same time, a considerable amount of pressure to act on the climate crisis came from young people, who used the tools at their disposal to push for change. The challenge is ensuring that we are elevating the change-makers and giving them the confidence to make their voices heard at the very beginning of their careers. BPF Futures’ Launchpad initiative has been set up to give young property professionals a platform to help them learn and develop. A crucial part of Launchpad is about widening access. Many young people are in the fortunate position where they can turn to friends and family who have had similar careers and ask for advice. But so many people aren’t in that position, and part of Launchpad is about facilitating relationships between young property professionals and senior leaders from across the industry through a mentoring programme. And you never know, the senior leaders might also learn a thing or two from their mentees. Another vital part of BPF Futures is the opportunity to learn and grow, equipping young people with the tools to understand and influence policy decisions. Ultimately, the policy direction of today is going to have more of an impact on the next generation than the current one. One of my core focuses will be to elevate the bright young voices in the property industry, giving them the platform to have their views embedded into policy positions. Regional equality The property industry has been incredibly London-centric for years. As a result, the best and the brightest talent has generally felt it necessary to gravitate to the capital to build their career. A combination of affordability, the coronavirus pandemic and investment into cities outside the capital is beginning to turn this regional exodus around. It is important to me that we represent young professionals from across the country and offer them all the same opportunity to build successful careers in the industry. A regional programme of events will be important in ensuring that BPF Futures practises what it preaches, by facilitating conversations up and down the country and widening our representation. It is this combination of professional development and networking opportunities at BPF Futures that will help to foster essential relationships between the chief executives of tomorrow. Membership of BPF Futures is open to anyone with less than 10 years’ experience in the property industry. Click here to find out how to join. Isabelle Hease is chair of BPF Futures