In a candid conversation with UKREiiF, Rav Cheema, Senior Associate at LocatED, sheds light on the crucial aspects of diversity and inclusion in the UK’s built environment. The discussion spans challenges, initiatives, and the vital role of inclusivity in shaping the industry’s future.

LocatED is a government-owned property company and an arms-length body of the Department for Education that provides advice to schools, multi-academy trusts and other educational bodies to help them unlock property solutions. They are experts on property acquisitions, disposals and estates efficiency, helping deliver public estates that meet the needs of the local community and achieve the government’s net zero targets.

Rav Cheema, with over a decade’s experience in the industry, embarked on his journey as a quantity surveyor. His intriguing transition from quantity surveying to real estate planning and development at JLL highlights the diverse opportunities within the built environment sector.

Speaking at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKReiiF), Rav shared his insights on diversity and inclusion. His passion for fostering inclusivity within the industry was evident as he spoke about the transformative power of diverse perspectives and the need for collective efforts to drive change.

LocatED’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is exemplified by their initiatives, such as running apprenticeships that welcome people of all ages and engaging with schools in underprivileged areas. This proactive approach showcases their dedication to widening the talent pool and promoting diversity from the ground up.

Rav emphasised the significance of collaboration in effecting meaningful change. Organisations like LocatED are joining hands with others to amplify the message of diversity and inclusion, ensuring that the conversation extends beyond mere rhetoric and drives tangible action.

Creating a baseline is a good starting point and the simplest way to do that is through engaging with and listening to your employees’ experiences” Rav advised, reflecting the importance of transparency and understanding the current diversity landscape within an organisation. These open conversations lay the foundation for building an inclusive environment.

In the pursuit of fostering diversity, Rav highlighted the need for leadership to champion these values. He underscored that diversity and inclusion are not just industry concerns, but global imperatives that require collective action across all sectors.

Rav Cheema’s engaging insights and commitment to inclusivity underscore the need for a more diverse and inclusive built environment industry. His participation in UKReiiF and dedication to its passion for inclusion and diversity showcase his role in pushing these conversations forward.

In the journey toward a more inclusive future, Rav Cheema’s perspectives and LocatED’s initiatives serve as inspirations for the built environment sector to embrace diversity and lay the foundation for lasting change.