Doing something about the S in ESG

There seem to be a lot of surveys telling us what we already know. There are all sorts of committees committed to putting together plans and programmes to enhance the real estate sector’s social value and ensure a more diverse range of young talent can access jobs in the sector. But recently a group, drawn from real estate and real assets, joined forces to actually do something practical about promoting diversity and helping those less fortunate than ourselves to learn more about a career in real estate.

The Academy of Real Assets (www.acadrealassets.com) will hold regular virtual, and eventually live, events with students from the most under-served schools in the UK and set out to them all the opportunities for careers in real estate. The Academy will also, alongside The Property Chronicle, www.propertychronicle.com, hold a national essay competition giving these students from UK state schools the opportunity to be published globally by the magazine.

The Academy will, alongside its philanthropic activities, also hold regular events where members can hear from those who have excelled in something other than real estate! The first Academy event will be with John Ryley, Head of SKY News for over 15 years, who will talk to us about “Media bias - good or bad thing?”

The Academy’s membership has only been open for a couple of weeks and, amongst others, the following have joined: Aegon, Carlyle, Clearbell, Derwent London, LaSalle, Moorfield, LXIREIT Advisors, The Portman Estate, PGIM, Prologis, Revcap, Savills and Schroders.

The Academy is a membership group open to any firm involved in any aspect of real estate and/or alternative real assets. If you are interested in joining and would like to learn more please do contact Stephen on Stephen@acadrealassets.com.