Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)
CIOB's Commitment
CIOB is committed to promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the sector.
The CIOB’s commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)
The business case for a commitment to EDI is well established. Diverse and inclusive organisations are more creative, productive, profitable and more responsive to diverse customer needs. Ambitious employers are recognising the need to attract and retain a diverse and talented pool of built environment professionals for the best chance of success in global markets.
Yet Construction remains a male-dominated industry across the globe. In the UK, women make up around 15% of the construction workforce, with 2% of those working on-site. This figure is even less for those from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background who only make up 6% of the workforce. This stark under-representation points to one obvious solution to the current and ongoing skills shortage in the Construction sector.
That is why the CIOB is committed to promoting EDI in the sector. We understand that EDI is not a ‘zero-sum game’. Promoting fair and equitable access to opportunities and inclusive practices will contribute to a stronger economy to everyone’s benefit, across and beyond the construction industry.
Diversity and Inclusion: A Special Report and Charter
Read our Special Report and sign up to the Charter.
EDI Action Plan 2023-2028
To help meet our commitment, we have adopted an EDI Action Plan for a more representative sector and an inclusive and accessible built environment that improves the lives of all its users. Aligned with our new Corporate Plan, this action plan is a framework to deliver change, setting out our EDI goals across all CIOB functions for the period June 2023 to December 2028. The measures will include providing visible leadership on a national and international basis; recruiting a more diverse membership and better understanding their needs whilst ensuring that our educational materials and the events and conferences we host are inclusive and accessible.
Become a CIOB EDI Ambassador
What's involved?
CIOB recognises the valuable experience and knowledge of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the built environment that members can bring to our discussions on this key policy area.
The voluntary role of CIOB EDI Ambassador is available to CIOB members with knowledge and enthusiasm in this area to work with local Hubs, Regional committees, or the Tomorrow’s Leaders community to make a positive contribution to the CIOB’s approach to this policy agenda.
CIOB EDI Ambassadors help disseminate best practices across the CIOB networks and identify areas for action to promote equitable treatment for all.
How to get involved
To volunteer as CIOB EDI Ambassador, you must agree with your local Hub or Regional Committee that you will act as its sole EDI Ambassador and inform our inclusion team.
Find out more about our EDI Ambassadors
We are supporters of Building People as part of our commitment to promoting EDI in the sector. Building People is an organisation that promotes EDI in the Built Environment sector by providing a platform for networking and linking diverse candidates with employers.
CIOB Best Practice Guide: Hosting Inclusive, Accessible, and Welcoming Events
The CIOB’s objectives, defined by our Royal Charter, include the promotion for the public benefit of the science and practice of building and construction. To help meet this objective, we have adopted this guide to hosting accessible and welcoming events to ensure that we promote a diverse and inclusive built environment sector.
EDI MoU Action Plan
On 28 July 2022, six leading membership bodies from across the built environment sector launched a 45-point action plan to jointly improve equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
It sets out how the six organisations, collectively representing 350,000 members, will collaborate to deliver the three objectives (Data collection; Improving understanding of transition from education into employment; and EDI standards) of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on 26 April 2022.
The plan details clear outcomes, target deadlines, required resources and responsibilities, enabling the organisations to clearly track progress and accountability.
Find out more
EDI MoU Action Plan
Build an Inclusive Future
Building an Inclusive Future is a film made by CIOB members in our London and Hemel Hub. It describes their experiences and what diversity and inclusion in construction means to them.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: The Case for Change
"Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) goes beyond being a tick box, buzz word or contractual obligation, but how many see it beyond this? Though the sector has a long way to go, it is important that from the offset we are educated about the true meaning behind EDI."
Take a look at our blog by CIOB Chartered Member, Anjali Pindoria on the topic of EDI.
Our EDI Policy Position
CIOB expands member data collection & analysis
From June 2023 the CIOB is asking its members residing in the UK and the Republic of Ireland to provide extended personal demographic data, including new questions on disability, gender reassignment, religion or belief and sexual orientation. We will also be collecting information from disabled members on the reasonable adjustments that they would like to request to ensure that they can fully participate and enjoy all the benefits of membership.
Collecting this data will facilitate analysis to identify any under-representation in our membership and allow CIOB to identify any changes required to promote accessible service delivery. All data will be confidential, stored securely and only used for the above purposes.
The CIOB Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Advisory Panel
The CIOB is chartered to promote and advance the science and practice of building and construction for the benefit of society, through education, research and engagement with the industry and the public.
It is critical that the CIOB uses its position as the leading voice for construction professionals to promote an equitable, diverse and inclusive industry. The CIOB position is clear: improving diversity and inclusion at all levels within the sector will unlock a more productive and inclusive industry, better able to meet the needs of society, employees and clients.
The Role of the Panel
The CIOB Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Advisory Panel provides a forum for members with expertise and interest in EDI to promote the agenda across the built environment sector.
The Panel works with the CIOB and its Head of EDI Transformation, to better understand the barriers to particular groups and individuals, and to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation within the sector.
The Aims of the Panel
- To be a forum for discussion and consultation, working with the CIOB and suggesting improvements to policy and practice in the sector
- To suggest positive steps that the CIOB could take to improve opportunities for members who face disadvantage and discrimination
- Provide a forum for networking and peer support including initiatives such as social functions and appropriate member-led events
- Work with representatives from CIOB Regional Hubs and Tomorrow’s Leaders, utilising the expertise of members to influence its approach to EDI
- Support the Head of EDI in promoting inclusive practices through consultation on CIOB’s strategies, policies and practice
- Identify opportunities to promote the CIOB’s commitment to EDI
The EDI Advisory Panel meets formally on a quarterly basis, and for the time being ‘virtually’ to ensure that panel members will be able to participate despite travel limitations or restrictions on movement due to the pandemic.
Chris Keast FCIOB: Chair of the CIOB EDI Advisory Panel
Chris Keast is current Chair of the CIOB Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Panel and is a Chartered Building Engineer, Fellow of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building, member of ICOMOS, member of the Institute of Leadership and Management and Fellow of The Higher Education Academy.
Following a successful career in the public sector as a Building Surveyor, Chris moved into education heading up the Postgraduate and Degree Apprenticeship Courses in Property Management and Development at Nottingham Trent University. He has also been appointed to the University Shadow Executive Team which has the remit of ensuring that University policy and direction is fully inclusive. Similarly, as a trade union official, Chris has for over twenty years ceaselessly campaigned on EDI issues, seeking to give a voice to members and empowering them to achieve fair outcomes, often against seemingly overwhelming odds.
Living with a life-limiting industrial disease and having suffered further life-changing injuries in an accident in 2006, Chris is acutely aware that much of the built environment remains inaccessible for people with disabilities and additional needs. This area of work has become the focus of his current research and a driver for his work with the CIOB.
Chris was a founder member of the Disabled Employees Network at NTU, a member of NADSN, an LGBTQ+ ally and a Judge for The Inspire Awards, Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion in UK Construction, Engineering and Housing.
Have your say
Please complete the following form to send your comments and suggestions on EDI to CIOB.