We believe in championing the next generation of built environment leaders and supporting them to develop their skills and build their professional networks.
Find out moreNLA Virtual NextGen Meet Ups
Our NextGen partner New London Architecture (NLA) invited members to come together and discuss the future of London post pandemic. Key note speaker and BAME in Property founder Priya Shah shared her career journey to date, followed by more in depth debate and discussions on London’s future hosted by NextGen champions including G&T associate and NLA NextGen representative Nancy Elgarf.
With so few opportunities for young people to network throughout the past year it has never been more important to create spaces for those just starting out to grow their connections. Attendees had their say on how to maintain London as a smart, inclusive and sustainable city.
Kicking off the event senior account manager at Grayling and founder of BAME in Property, Priya Shah welcomed NextGen members. Starting with her background within communications Priya shared her inspirational journey which lead to the creation of BAME in Property. Launched in December 2017, BAME in Property is an organisation passionate about increasing ethnic diversity in the property and planning sectors.
“I was inspired to create BAME in Property after seeing the impact on recruitment and planning delivery, with developments not being reflective of, or suited to, the communities they were built for.”Priya Shah
founder of BAME in Property
To expand on the topics mentioned by Priya, NextGen attendees from across all areas of the built environment split off into groups, sparking discussions surrounding London’s future post pandemic. Topics included what they have learnt from the pandemic, what the industry can do to support them in the next steps of their career and what changes they would like to see from the industry when addressing the issue of diversity and inclusion.
The discussions, led by G&T associate Nancy Elgarf and senior account director at ING Media, Rose Marshall, concluded that although extremely challenging, the pandemic has re-highlighted what is truly important to people. The groups also noted that collaboration with other cities and across all levels, especially the NextGen will be key to rebuilding a London fit for the future.
Closing on the issue of diversity and inclusion within the sector, the groups agreed that new ways of living and working will need to be embraced in order to provide the flexibility needed to retain a diverse workforce, representative of London’s population and the communities we work so hard to create.
The event formed part of our ongoing virtual NextGen programme delivered in partnership with the NLA.
For more information on our NextGen programme or to sign up head to our NextGen Hub.