New CIOB president calls for more diverse industry

New Chartered Institute of Building president Rebecca Thompson is calling for a more inclusive industry.

Her inaugural address called for more women, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities to be actively welcomed into construction and provided the support to grow and develop.

Thompson said: “At the heart of diversity is inclusion.

“It’s an attitude of ‘How can I make the work environment more conducive to people doing a good job’, regardless of their gender, ethnic background, or any disability.”

“The better we make our industry – the more professional we are – the more we will attract young people.

“We have a tremendous offer: a career in which one can go back to a building years later and say, I helped build that.”

Thompson is currently a lecturer in Building Studies at York College.

Her construction career started as a quantity surveyor at Shepherd Construction and recently included seven years at York Minister, first as Superintendent of Works and then as Chapter Steward, a chief executive role.

Thompson currently runs her own business, Thompson Heritage Consultancy Ltd.

She has been a CIOB Trustee since 2015 and has held positions with numerous contractors and consultants, including EC Harris, Yorkon Limited, NHBC, and Shepherd Construction.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/06/19/new-ciob-president-calls-for-more-diverse-industry/

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