Why real estate needs equal access

Real estate has historically been a sector dominated by men, most from a similar upbringing and background. And though this is true of many sectors, change in real estate has been especially slow. But it is finally happening.  In 2020, we’re seeing that more women than ever are taking control of space in our cities. And our high streets, once dominated by a wealthy few, have begun to diversify. This change hasn’t happened by accident. A large number of individuals and companies have propelled it. We’ve worked hard at Appear Here to play our part in accelerating a push for equality in the sector, not only by making it possible for anyone with an idea to access space easily, but by building a diverse team who can consistently challenge the status quo. When I first joined Appear Here, our investors were shocked to discover that not one person had any industry experience. We were a motley crew of misfits; a sculptor turned space hunter, an Aussie who’d taught himself to code, and a self-proclaimed urbanist. Even our founder, Ross Bailey, was a high school drop-out. But that’s what made us work; our lack of experience turned out to be hugely valuable in an industry in flux. Hiring for culture While an in-depth knowledge of the real estate sector is still valued at Appear Here, we haven’t made it a prerequisite for being part of the team. Instead, we hire for culture; we look out for people who’ve shown a willingness to go against the grain, to think for themselves and to carve their own path through life. This has allowed us to hire from different backgrounds and experiences – and build a team that’s 50% women in a male-dominated industry. The creative conflict that naturally arises in a team made up of people with diverse experiences and backgrounds leads to innovation. Appear Here was the first company to list retail space online (with a transparent price next to it), the first to allow that space to be booked completely online (without the need for expensive lawyers or accountants) and the first to empower thousands of entrepreneurs to take space to make their ideas happen. Reaching beyond Our mission since day one has been to create a world where anyone, anywhere, can find space for their idea. As a result, we have seen a dramatic shift in who has access to space in our cities. Currently, 70% of ideas on Appear Here are from women. They include the likes of Janet Oganah, who took a space to bring to life Janet’s List, a platform that connects businesses led by women of colour with customers, as well as support and mentorship. Or Josie Naughton, who having seen shortcomings in the humanitarian aid effort for refugees, created a new kind of ‘charity shop’ that has had queues around the block in every location. The work of these entrepreneurial women inspires others inside and outside the industry, accelerating the transformation that’s already underway. Not only is this a positive change because it creates more equal opportunities, but it reflects the shifting expectations of the consumer. They want experiences that relate to them, they want to see themselves represented in the cities they live in, and they want spaces where they can connect with like-minded communities. For the real estate industry, accommodating the needs of the consumer has never been more important – if their high streets don’t speak to them, they’ll go elsewhere. If we’re able to create more equality in real estate, the industry that defines our cities, progress can happen faster. If the people who control access to our streets are more open to innovation and diversity, and are prepared to take a few more risks, our cities will benefit – becoming much more exciting places to work, shop and live. Alice Ratcliffe is head of brand at Appear Here