EDITOR’S COMMENT I am full of positivity this week. Not because it is unusually warm for October, but because we’re ushering in my favourite time of the year. The time of year when we at EG get to celebrate some of the amazing things that real estate does and the phenomenal talent this industry is getting better and better at attracting – and retaining.
Let’s start with the talent.
This week we showcase the latest cohort of EG Future Leaders. Those of you who were at the EG Future Leaders Summit at the end of last month will already know how outstanding these nine individuals are and how impactful their messages for the sector as a whole were; for the rest of you, prepare yourselves.
If you ever think there is no heart, soul, smarts or well-intentioned ambition in the real estate sector, fear not. The future is in safe hands. It is now just up to those of you working in positions of influence to listen to these individuals, to really understand and lean in to the suggestions they are making and to take action.
This year’s cohort of Future Leaders talked passionately about our need to see social housing in a different light and see the value that social housing delivers to people, to place and – done right – to profits too. They talked about true inclusivity and the big steps forward we still need to take as an industry to allow people to be authentically them and how, if we don’t allow that, then the sector working hard to bring people in from different backgrounds will be futile. Imagine how tiring it is always pretending to be someone else just to “fit in”. Imagine what that does to your mental health? Imagine how unlikely that is to mean that you as a business get to retain the very best talent. Our leaders also talked about the power of creativity, about zooming out and looking at things in different ways, and how the spreadsheet – to borrow from a definite leader of today (and a few cycles before), Nick Leslau – doesn’t always have the best solution.
Their talks are a must-watch. You can read a bit about them in EG, but for once I’d encourage you to put down your EG magazine and immerse yourself in the videos. I guarantee you won’t regret it. I guarantee you’ll take something useful away. And I know some of you will put that into action. If you do, please let me know.
I’m also brimming with optimism as we count down to the EG Awards – the very best night on the real estate calendar. This is the time when EG gets to celebrate you. I’m buzzing with excitement, not only because I’ve got some extra special footwear this year, but because despite the tough year we’ve all had, there really is plenty to be cheerful about. If you’re not already signed up to join us for the party of the year, book your place now.
But here’s the really important reason I’m optimistic. Here at EG, we’ve been resolutely focused on holding the RICS to account. Our resident RICS specialist, news editor Pui-Guan Man, has been following the trials and tribulations so closely that she’s now everyone’s least favourite dinner guest. This week, the new leadership team at the RICS finally sat down with us to talk openly about the transformation the body is going through. The conversation came as we closed a survey asking members what they wanted from the RICS. The results highlight the passion there is for the RICS, some wanting major change, some urging patience to bring about major change.
The results will have been tough reading for the RICS. But, as chair Martin Samworth, chief executive Justin Young and interim standards and regulation board chair Nigel Clarke told us this week, the body knows it is not perfect. They know there is a lot of work to do to reset the RICS, but they are not giving up.
The RICS (or A.N.Other body like it) is essential for this industry to deliver for the Future Leaders we love to support here at EG and it needs to play a vital role in changing the perception of the industry so we keep bringing great people into it.
Not everyone is going to be happy with how Samworth et al take the RICS back to what it needs to be, but if that leadership team really is committed to transforming the RICS, to getting closer to its members and to rebuilding trust, then we should support and celebrate that.
To send feedback, e-mail samantha.mcclary@eg.co.uk or tweet @samanthamcclary or @EGPropertyNews
