Driving business performance through talent

The Property Council’s first Leading Women in Property event for 2015 was another sell-out, with over 170 property professionals attending to discuss the role of gender balance in the property sector.

This event was part of a series around the country to launch the Property Male Champions of Change initiative.

The Property Male Champions of Change is comprised of 22 CEOs from property industry organisations and is chaired by business leader and former national president of the Property Council Carol Schwartz. The group is committed to a listening, learning and leading journey and to stepping up alongside women to address the issue of gender equity.

In recognition of the launch of the initiative the event panel included two of the Champions of Change CEOs – Stephen Conry, Chief Executive Officer – Australia – JLL and Steven Leigh, Managing Director – QIC Global Real Estate.

Additionally, the event featured Selina Short, Business Development Leader – Real Estate & Construction – Ernst & Young who delivered the findings of a recent report on gender diversity within the property industry.

Titled ‘The next big deal is on. Property industry, where are you on gender diversity?‘, the research was conducted by Ernst & Young with the support of the Property Council. The report investigates the opportunity cost of not aggressively pursuing gender diversity in the property industry.

Selina discussed the levels of doubt exhibited by property executives in regards to the importance of gender diversity despite research indicating more diverse leadership teams consistently outperform their industry average. Selina also referred to the existing skills shortages exhibited within the industry. This vacuum in the female leadership pipeline was cited as a considerable concern when aiming for diversified executive teams and boards.

Following her presentation, Selina was joined by Steven Leigh and Stephen Conry for a panel discussion moderated by Renaye Peters, Director – Conrad Gargett, Chair of the Property Council of Australia’s Queensland Women and Diversity Committee & member of the Property Council of Australia’s Queensland Division Council.

The Property Council would like to sincerely thank Selina, Steven and Stephen for providing their frank, honest thoughts on the necessity of diversity in the industry. The panel session provided attendees with the opportunity to investigate effective policies for workforce diversification, the drivers behind skill shortages, and the tangible benefits of gender diversity.

It has become a tradition that our Women in Property Lunches not only focus on promoting gender equity in our industry, but also raise funds to support a worthy causes. This luncheon provided the opportunity to raise funds for one of the Property Council’s 2015 dedicated charities, GIVIT. The Property Council would like to thank Juliette Wright, CEO and Founder of GIVIT for attending and are proud to announce over $1700 was raised during the event.

The Property Council would also like to thank our generous major sponsors Brookfield Multiplex and our supporting sponsors architectus as well as all of the organisations that kindly donated raffle prizes and gifts for the event. Without the support of all of our sponsors, the event would not have been possible.

Major Sponsor:

Supporting Sponsor:

Charity:

Renaye Peters – Conrad Gargett & Chair of the Property Council of Australia’s Queensland Women and Diversity Committee, Selina Short – Ernst & Young, Stephen Conry – JLL & Steven Leigh – QIC

Selina Short – Ernst & Young

Back row: Chris Mountford – Property Council of Australia, Renaye Peters – Conrad Gargett & Chair of the Property Council of Australia’s Queensland Women and Diversity Committee, Stephen Conry – JLL, Steven Leigh – QIC, Selina Short – Ernst & Young, David Eden – Brookfield Multiplex

Front row: Kim Richards – architectus, Kathy Mac Dermott – Property Council of Australia & Juliette Wright – GIVIT