This year’s International Women’s Day (8 March) will see the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) urging property firms in the West Midlands to make their female role models more visible, and break down any barriers that prevent them from progressing in to leadership positions.

Women are expected to make up more than a quarter of the construction workforce by 2020, up from its current level of about 14%*, but last year it was revealed there were fewer than 21 women on the boards of the top 20 UK contractors.** To add to this, latest figures from RICS reveal that just 14% of chartered surveyors in the UK are female, which is an improvement on previous years, but still demonstrates that the surveying profession has a long way to go in attracting senior female role models.

Balancing family and work commitments, as well as what often is perceived as a ‘job for men only’, are the most common barriers to progression, encountered by women in the land, property and construction sectors.

To help address these issues RICS has developed an initiative known as the Inclusive Employer Quality Mark (IEQM) designed to help firms of all sizes - in the land, property and construction sectors - gain a more diverse and inclusive workforce. It asks firms to pledge their commitment to adopting and continually improving across a number of key areas including recruitment and staff development. Signatories of the pledge are assessed on an ongoing basis, with RICS providing support on any areas identified as needing improvement.

Barry Cullen, RICS Future Talent Director adds: “Over 160 organisations have become signatories of our Quality Mark, and it’s been fantastic to see many of these firms put in place, or make improvements to their mentoring schemes, with some even launching their own corporate female support networks, and many offering flexible working patterns and improved return to work programmes.”

He adds: “As a profession, we are making strides in creating a more diverse and inclusive industry; 27% of our newly qualified members are female and enrolments are up by 3% on last year to 26%. This demonstrates that the land, property and construction sectors are increasingly becoming more attractive to women as a career. To ensure the industry continues to attract more female talent, firms must ensure they provide equal opportunities for all.”

To celebrate and raise the profile of young talent who are reaping the benefits of a successful career in the industry, RICS established its annual ‘Young Surveyor of the Year Awards’ (YSOYA) four years ago. These national awards celebrate the UK’s most inspirational surveyors in the UK aged 35 or under - across various sectors and disciplines.

Sophie Bullock of Aston Knowles and Marwood Surveyors won the Residential Category in 2016. She commented: “Firms with more of an equal gender balance have a competitive advantage, and I think a lot of companies are starting to realise that. We just need to get away from the stereotype that working in property or construction is all about hard hats and working on building sites.

“Property-technology – including drones and virtual reality – is revolutionising the property industry and how we work on built projects, so it’s actually a very exciting time to be joining the industry. The West Midlands built environment is undergoing vast change, and I have been able to be part of that and it is exciting to know you can have a profoundly positive impact on local communities. My Young Surveyor of the Year award win is testament to this, and I hope it inspires others to see what is achievable.”

It has been announced today that the 2017 Lycamobile British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards (BEDSAs) will be hosted by Sir Lenny Henry on March 18th, at the London Hilton on Park Lane, Mayfair. The awards, which are now in their third year, are organised by Sporting Equals, the national partner of Sport England and advisors to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. 

Ndimele Kingsley Oluwapelumi is a year 3 Agriculture student in Obafemi Awolowo University. He is from Abia State the southern eastern part of Nigeria, born and bred in the ancient city of Ibadan in Oyo State where he started his primary school education in the late 1990's at Oladunni Memorial School Bodija in Ibadan.

He graduated from there in 2005 before he started his secondary school education at Methodist Grammar school in Bodija Ibadan, Oyo State, where he used to be the best in his class, although his secondary school days were challenging due to a lack of government intervention.

He had a passion for writing and music, but most of his write ups were anonymous because he doesn't like fame. He graduated from secondary school at a tender age of 14 which was a landmark achievement. He started working as a teacher and teach in various schools in Lagos and also went to school of Catherine Along Redemption Camp in Lagos.

He gained admission into Obafemi Awolowo university in the year 2014 and resumed in the year 2015 to study Agricultural Economics in the faculty of Agriculture. In his year 1 days, he was focused on his academic goals majorly, but during his year 2 days he became diversified by entering into journalism and founding NOVEL Nigeria as a brand and joined the association of Nigerian Authors.

Novel Nigeria deals with events, blogging, m.c Catherine service, photography and online business and he has worked with Adejumo Kabir and Timi Agbaje.

Since the establishment of Novel Nigeria, he was able to cover Sunny Ade 70th birthday and worked with Yomi Fabiyi during a Nigeria internet business conference - his dream is to reach out to the world and to employ 1000 youths in the next ten years.

Currently he is anchoring the Yes Festival, the first online business summit in Africa, which is starting Oct 2 to 31. Part of the programme is online business lectures, book reviews, yes essay contest and charity tour. His advice to the youth is to get started in whatever plans they have, money is not limitation but the willingness to make impact is the driving force.

Having played the iconic role of the hapless Spanish waiter Manuel in the classic sitcom Fawlty Towers, the death of actor Andrew Sachs has sent shockwaves throughout the length and breadth of the acting world with tributes pouring in on a scale deserved of his status. Andrew of course starred alongside John Cleese, Connie Booth and Prunella Scales, in the multi award-winning show and a very saddened co-creator of the show, Cleese, was among the first to pay tribute to Andrew, saying of him, “A very sweet gentle and kind man and a truly great raconteur.

Jess Tomlinson's thirst for an unusual career landed her the role of the UK's youngest female head distiller at the age of 25 in 2014.

Today, Jess, now 28 and still working at craft distiller Durham Distillery, has launched another unique gin recipe with a Strawberry and Pink Pepper liqueur.

“There is nothing I won't have a go at making – it's a combination of two things I love, chemistry and creative art, with an end product you can consume. I think this is why I love creating gin!” says Jess, the mastermind behind a range of quality spirits launched by Durham Distillery.

Jess prides herself on the traditional process the distillery uses and describes her favourite aspect of the job as watching the first drips of gin pour off the still in the morning. Utilising a 400 litre copper pot called Lily, this method has long been used to create the highest quality gin while ensuring the preservation of its botanical ingredients. And named after owner Jon Chadwick's first born, it keeps up with the age-old tradition followed by distillers across the world.

Starting her journey from a five year Masters in Chemistry Jess quickly moved onto a one year Masters in Brewing and Distilling, landing herself a job in a lab along the way.

In 2014 she joined the team at Durham Distillery, making her a stand-out figure for UK statistics. And what better time for a new figurehead in the Gin-dustry than now? The Office of National Statistics have recently claimed that Brit's are drinking so much gin that it now belongs in the calculations towards a 'typical weekly shop'*.

“I love designing and producing new product lines – our vodka and most recently our Strawberry and Pink Pepper Liqueur were both my creations. The amazing feedback we get from customers is a massive motivator for me, it's great to hear people love what we make!” she says.

With a real thirst for everything spirit based, Jess recommends trying gin neat to totally appreciate the blend of flavours. And if you have to mix it, make it a quality tonic!

And as for her future plans?

“I see myself continuing to make great gin and vodka. Durham Distillery is all about educating and exciting customers and working with local organisations. We want to build on being a great place local people want to work and I've got so many exciting recipes to create and share, I feel I'm only just beginning.”

Looks like it's time to up the ante Jess! You are truly a gin-spiration.

A deafblind woman from Kings Heath, Birmingham, has been shortlisted for a major national charity award, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to a major new disability centre being built in Selly Oak. 52 year old Susan White has been nominated for ‘Deafblind Person of the Year’ at the 2016 Sense Awards, which will be hosted by Paralympian gold medallist Steve Bate at the Southbank Centre in London on November 10^th.