This event is a joint event by PwC, Women in Sustainable Construction & Property, WIBSE, The CIOB, Northern Hive and EDIT Development. 

Women in Sustainable Construction & Property,  WIBSE, The CIOB, Northern Hive and EDIT Development are thrilled to be joining and supporting a thought leading event hosted by PwC on 16th May 2017 as part of PwC's Property Week, which will focus on discussing, celebrating and challenging the property and construction sector. We know the targets and quotas shouldn't be the only reason for increasing diversity in the workplace, companies that make cultural inclusion a top priority will see the benefits through innovation and engagement in the long run.

We would love to have you join us for an evening of discussion and connectivity! Refreshments are provided.

Our expert panel will discuss:

- How to inspire diverse groups of talent to flourish within your company

- What is needed to engage emerging talent prior to entering the workforce (and some challenges companies may face)

- How to build a workplace community that attracts and retains a diverse talent pool.

- The importance of social inclusion, including how it has become a top political priority under Theresa May's government

You are invited to join an event on Tuesday 16th May 2017, facilitated by Emma Nicholson - Senior Project Manager of NPS Group Ltd / Director of Women in Sustainable Construction and Property and Zara Metcalf from WIBSE.

The panel debate welcomes:

Panel speaker 1. Sonia Bate, Managing Director of Edit Development, a business leader, entrepreneur and expert on high performing leadership, Sonia and her team at EDIT work with a range of global organisations on creating inclusive work cultures, building wide diverse talent pipelines as well as supporting a variety of sectors with accelerated women in leadership programmes. She is a sought after speaker on diversity, leadership and the future of work.

Panel speaker 2. Rebecca Thompson, Founder and Director of Thompson Heritage Consultancy, formerly Chapter Steward (the Cathedral equivalent of Chief Executive) at York Minister and spent six years in the role of Superintendent of Works, leading the York Minster Works Department and the maintenance, restoration and conservation of the Minster and precinct properties.  Rebeccca is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building and has recently been appointed Senior Vice President.  Rebecca sits on the CIOB Faculty for Maintenance, Adaption, Restoration and Conservation (MARC), and has been a member of the CIOB for over ten years.

Panel speaker 3. Kate Morris, Director of Aecom, Kate is a Director at AECOM within the Transportation Business Line responsible for Strategic Planning and Advisory services across Europe, Middle East, India and Africa. She has over 28 years experience in transport planning and transport engineering in both consultancies and local government.  Kate is a strong advocate of Diversity and Inclusion and the promotion of the profession.  She was a key contributor to the employers working group which delivered the Transport Planning Apprenticeship including working with the education provider on course content and delivering the inaugral lecture. She runs AECOM's female mentoring programme currently providing support to over 300 women within the organisation and sits on the AECOM Unconscious Bias Network of Senior Managers.

 Panel speaker 4. Karen Finlayson, Partner at PwC, Karen Finlayson is a Partner at PwC based in Leeds and has worked at the firm for 19 years. Prior to joining PwC she spent some time working in industry with banking, retail and manufacturing, also the Public Sector.  Her role at PwC includes leading both the Internal Audit pratice and Health industries team across the North.  Outside of PwC Karen is a Lay Board Member of Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust. 

Karen is a huge advocate of diversity and helping people to achieve their potential. She believes that it's important to value difference and recognise that talent comes from many different sources, so is glad to see that over time the routes into professional services are different thefore attracting a more diverse mix of talent.

Panel speaker 5. Rebecca Hailey, Associate Director at JLL,  Rebecca works in JLL's Building Consultancy team in Leeds advising a range of blue chip occupier, investor, financial and owner clients on their building and construction projects.  In her role, Rebecca is part of the firm's North East Building Surveying Executive Board providing advice and knowledge in agreeing best practice for the group. Rebecca has been a Member of the RICS for over ten years and is currently a counsellor providing mentoring support to junior members of the team during their Assessment for Professional Competence. She is also a member of JLL's Women's Network, an internal group created to support, mentor and provide role models for JLL women across all business teams and in all roles.   

JLL is a founding member of Changing the Face of Property, a joint initiative launched in 2012 by a number of major property firms.  It aims to increase diversity and inclusion across all levels of our business and raise awareness of careers in the property industry.

Contact : Emma Nicholson : efn121@yahoo.co.uk