BPF Spotlight Series: Futures
This week's BPF Spotlight finds out more about our BPF Futures network. To get the low-down we speak to its Chair Gafar Fashola. Here's what he had to say:
❓BPF Futures has gone from strength to strength, for those that haven’t heard of it before, what is BPF Futures?
🗣You’re right, the growth of BPF Futures has been incredible!
BPF Futures is a community of over 2,400 members across the UK. It’s a free and open network of junior professionals with 10 years or less of experience in the built environment.
The network’s spearheaded by the Futures Advisory Board (FAB), which is made up of a like-minded group of junior property professionals who are passionate about driving change in the industry. We’re also supported by our Corporate Contacts, who advocate for and champion the network in their organisations.
❓What’s your BPF Futures story?
🗣I joined in 2021 and not long after joined the FAB. In this time, I learnt so much about the built environment and the real, wide reaching impact the industry has on society.
Now, as Chair, I believe BPF Futures is key to shaping a better property industry, and in turn a better society.
It’s vital that our industry is made up of individuals that represent our ever-changing society, and we aim to build a welcoming community and represent the diverse voices of our industry’s future leaders.
❓How does BPF Futures support junior professionals?
🗣Our activity is shaped by our four key pillars.
🔹Influencing - giving our members the chance to have their say on the key issues affecting our industry;
🔹learning - exploring projects and developments and examining key issues facing the industry;
🔹mentoring – connecting junior professionals with industry leaders,
🔹networking – helping the community to build relationships across all specialisms in both the public and private sectors.
We hold regular events under each of these pillars and also offer a platform for junior professional to showcase their expertise on subject matters.
❓How does the BPF mentoring scheme work?
🗣We’re really excited about our mentoring programme, which is in now its fourth year.
We’ve had over 370 people participate as mentors and mentees so far, and this year will see 140 more!
We pair senior leaders with mentees and support them as they meet over the year. The feedback has been incredible, with mentors as well as mentees gaining a huge amount.
❓Sounds great, how can I join BPF Futures?
🗣We’re always looking to expand our membership, you can find all the details here: https://bpf.org.uk/join-the-bpf/bpf-futures/.
We also have some great events over the next couple of weeks that new members can get involved in, including a 'Lunch and Learn' webinar on affordable housing and an event with RTPI Young Planners on the future of planning which will be followed by networking.
About Gafar
Gafar Fashola is an Assistant Development Manager at Related Argent, the Chair of the BPF Futures Advisory Board, a freelance poet and writer.
