Member Article

Pushing the boundaries to change the industry

by Richard Sutton, managing director, NG Chartered Surveyors

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

The property industry in 2019 is a fast-moving sector. Technology is moving at an incredible pace - but that isn’t the biggest change we’re seeing - especially here at NG Chartered Surveyors.

As we enter the third decade of the 21st Century, we are seeing the property industry finally move away from being dominated by the white, male, middle class.

What’s more, dress codes and working environments are becoming more contemporary; work/life balances are better and mental health awareness is, at last, on everyone’s radar.

At NG, we like to think we’re leading the way. The majority of our workforce is now female, and our last four appointments have all been women - from Associate Director, Surveyor, Graduate Surveyor and Apprentice Surveyor. Gender is irrelevant to us; it’s now about the right person being the right fit for our company culture and ethos. There are no gender pay gaps at NG.

We place a great emphasis on ethnic diversity - but there is an awful lot of work still to do. According to a joint EY and RICS study, just 1.2% of professionals in the UK built environment were BAME as of 2016. We’re trying to do our bit; Sunny Landa, my fellow director, joined NG on a year-long graduate placement 10 years ago. He quickly worked his way up to being a RICS-qualified Associate Director, onto Director, and Shareholding Director and RICS APC Assessor.

As managing director, I’m proud to have pioneered and championed these changes will continue with our progressive agenda into the future.

NG won’t stand still and accept the status quo. Neither do we want to give off fake corporate sheen. We will continue to strive to be the best we possibly can - and a large part of that is getting the good people to do good things. What we’re looking for as we continue to expand, are the commercial property superstars of tomorrow who have the same core values as us and a positive, proactive outlook.

It is really important to me that everyone at NG is successful and develops to their full potential. I’ll certainly be there to back them all the way.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by John Walker .