EDI Event 2025

Unlocking potential as a catalyst for growth.

A Day of EDI with CIOB, where we explore the benefits D&I brings to everyone.

We will be joined by various D&I experts and will discuss the value of EDI, explore examples of best practice and hear updates about CIOB’s EDI work.

With flexible sessions that suit your schedule, you can look forward to an engaging, inspiring, and informative event that will leave you energised and empowered.

Session 1

Who benefits from a commitment to equity, diversity & inclusion?

Are the benefits of a commitment to EDI really limited to specific groups, or can promoting fairness & respect help address the skills gaps and improve workplace culture for all? Challenged by the Chair, this panel of experts from the built environment sector will share their thoughts on these important questions.

Chair:

Mark Harrison, Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Transformation, CIOB

Speakers:

Amos Simbo OBE, Founder, BPIC Network (Built Environment Inclusion) & Winway Group a Construction Multi-Disciplinary Consultancy

Faye Allen, Chartered Quantity Surveyor

Dr Karen Blay, Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), Loughborough University

Mark Bennett MCIOB AssocRICS, Project Manager, Tilbury Douglas

Session 2

Hear from three champions of an inclusive built environment sector

Hear from three champions of an inclusive built environment sector on how they successfully overcame barriers and delivered initiatives promoting a welcoming & inclusive sector. Questions from the Chair and a live ‘Q&A’ section will probe how a commitment to fairness and equity can help address the challenges currently facing the

sector, including (but not limited to) the people shortages, skills gaps, underrepresentation and the critical issue of retaining qualified employees.

Chair: Michalea Wain, BBC Apprentice Finalist, Owner of Design & Build UK

Speakers:

Gary Jones, Senior Business Analyst, Houses of Parliament

Leigh Renshaw FCIOB PMP MAPM CMIOSH, Associate Director, AstraZeneaca, CIOB Client Champion

Session 3

Mates In Mind & Light House Charities

With an estimated average of two deaths a day, the importance of promoting positive mental health in the sector cannot be overstated. Hear from expert agencies on how to provide essential support to those in need and on a CIOB initiative to help colleagues working on-site in a discreet but direct manner.

Chair: Mark Harrison, Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Transformation, CIOB

Speakers:

Sam Downie, Managing Director, Mates in Mind

Andy Bishop, Founder of ManGang

Session 4

EDI best practice in the built environment – an international perspective

An opportunity to hear international perspectives on the challenges of promoting an equitable and diverse built environment sector. Speakers from South Africa, Canada and the UK will share their thoughts on this topic and answer questions from delegates.

Speakers:

Hamza Momade, Director, Special Projects

Hollie Cregan, Head of Equality, Diversity & FIR, GRAHAM

Session 5

B.E Inclusive Group Session

This panel discussion will feature representatives of the largest professional member institutes in the sector discussing the priorities for the partnership working on EDI over the next five years. Representatives of the ‘B.E. Inclusive’ partnership including architecture, construction, engineering, planning, surveying and transport professions will discuss the issues that must be addressed to realise a welcoming, inclusive and accessible sector.

Chair: Mark Harrison, Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Transformation, CIOB

Speakers:

Machel Bogues, Equality Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Royal Town Planner Institute

Emily Jefffers, Diversity & Inclusion Specialist, RIBA

Sybil Taunton, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors

Andrew Stanley, Head of Education Policy, Institution of Civil Engineers