Property industry hits diversity target

More than 1,000 women across the property industry are now engaged in sponsorship and leadership roles with the Property Council, following the implementation of ambitious diversity targets.

In 2014 women accounted for just 22 per cent of representatives on Property Council committees.

Late last year, the Property Council kicked off the 40:40: 20 campaign and almost 1,600 positions were spilled.

The campaign called for gender balanced representation, with 40 per cent women, 40 per cent men, and 20 per cent discretionary on each of the dozens of committees around the country.

And the results are in.

The industry rose to the challenge and an impressive 43 per cent of nominations were women. As a result women now occupy 709 committee positions, for 43 per cent – an achievement that Property Council chief executive Ken Morrison says represents “meaningful change”.

“This is a great result for the Property Council but more importantly, for the industry,” Morrison says.

“Being on a committee helps build industry expertise, profile and networks and accelerates people’s career trajectories.”

Morrison says the Property Council has worked hard to get its systems right to ensure an integrated election process. An online portal helped members to “take a global view of their organisation’s nominations” and then take steps to ensure gender balanced representation.

Meeting the 40:40:20 milestone is an important marker for the industry as it makes cultural change, Morrison says.

“Many of the industry’s female leaders of the future are being created right now.  It’s an important transition the industry is making.”

The committee target is part of a suite of initiatives to expand female leadership across the industry.

Last year, 260 women participated in the Property Council’s 100 Women in Property sponsorship program. Nominations for this year’s program closed on 3 March, and the number of nominations exceeded 0.

The Property Council has also enlisted leaders across the industry to be Property Male Champions of Change.

“We aren’t just talking the talk when it comes to changing the culture of the industry,” Morrison concludes.

Learn more about the Property Council’s gender diversity programs.