What is your role at Avison Young?

Associate Director, Building Consultancy. My day-to-day role is undertaking instructions for all core building surveying services, but I specialise in project management, contract administration and project monitoring. My experience extends to all real estate sectors, where I provide advice across a wide range of commercial and residential property types for both private commercial companies and public sector organisations.

How did you get into commercial real estate?

An interesting story, but when I was a teenager, my girlfriend's father had a small General Practice Surveying Company in Harrow, London. She suggested that I study real estate at University instead of Law, but I feared that she was trying to get me to into the family business, so I quickly shut down the conversation! I did, however, quietly look into real estate, which turned into a four week deep dive, then an application to Reading University and the rest is history! The relationship only lasted 11 months but I'm always thankful for her advice. Lord knows I would have been a horrible Lawyer!

What does inclusion mean to you?

It means being seen, valued, listened to, enjoyed and celebrated.

Give us an example of inclusion in action at the workplace.

Inclusion in action at the workplace is, "Can you come with me next week on Tuesday to meet my client?" It's, "I would love to have your help on this project, I think you could offer the fresh new perspective we're looking for." It's, "We're heading for lunch on Friday you should definitely come along, I'm not taking no for an answer!"

What's an impactful way that professionals can be an ally for underrepresented groups in the workplace?

Simply listen. It's amazing how much of an impact that listening can have for professionals in underrepresented groups. Like all groups our perspectives and experiences are unique and as result add value. Listening takes time and in the end doesn't necessarily result in immediate, demonstrable results, but its long-term impact is exponential. People who feel listened to feel valued and in turn share more. They become more themselves and who they were always meant to be. That’s what genuine allyship looks like to me.

What has been your experience being in an underrepresented group in a historically non-diverse industry?

My first experience began in University where out of 500 real estate students I was one of three "brothers" (no "sisters") and the only one of the three to complete the 3-year programme. I had to quickly learn that the way I dressed, spoke, laughed, joked, thought, what I watched, listened to and who I associated with had to change pretty quickly if I was to have any chance of being included within the world of real estate.

Despite my best efforts, I could never quite pass the test. Group work was often a painful experience. Typically, I wouldn't get copied into group emails or invited to group brainstorming sessions. On the occasions where I somehow got wind of group sessions taking place, I would be given a depressingly basic role e.g. introduce the topic during the class presentation, control the slides or in some cases I would get "hey mate don't worry we got this all sorted we don't need your help, you should count yourself lucky!"

By my third year, I just became exhausted and stopped trying. At the time I thought that I was evidently too mature for these silly childish games and that I would thrive in a more adult working environment. Let's just say that things didn't quite work out how I had planned. On arriving within the professional real estate world as a Graduate I was confronted by an even more alien environment and social structure. More new jokes, more cliques, more missed meetings, more basic tasks, more condescension, more social rules, more social exclusion, more, more, more. However, in between all of the unpleasant experiences, there were kind smiles, caring hands on shoulders, warm hugs, shared unforgettable, beautiful experiences, genuine support, acceptance and connection. So in conclusion, I would say my personal experience has been mixed, with some discouraging lows but also some incredible highs.

Tell us about the accomplishments you're most proud of across your career.

The accomplishment that I'm most proud of is that I'm still here and that I'm more myself today than I have ever been before. Where previously I hid and avoided exposing myself to inevitable disappointment, I'm now learning to push through. I'm still painfully aware through the lived experience of what it means to be Black within the U.K. and CRE. However, I'm committed to seeing my unique Caribbean culture and heritage as a bridge to becoming my true self (leading to ultimate acceptance and inclusion within CRE) rather than as a barrier to achieving this goal.