EQUALITY AT UCEM
BUILT FOR OPPORTUNITY
At UCEM a commitment to equality is embedded in all that we do. We celebrate diversity and the strengths that it brings to our staff body, our student community and our Board of Trustees, recognising that people are key to our success.
UCEM provides accessible, relevant and cost-effective education which enhances careers, increases professionalism and leads to a more sustainable built environment. Our mission has always been to provide flexible and affordable education to a worldwide, diverse student community. We aim to become the Centre of Excellence for Built Environment Education. Anyone wanting to study in a built environment discipline should be able to access the education we provide.
At UCEM, we are committed:
- to achieving equality for all those who learn and work here
- to providing equality of opportunity and freedom from unlawful discrimination
- to delivering courses that are accessible to all students, regardless of age, location or any protected characteristics
- to embedding a working and learning environment which makes all students, staff and trustees feel part of a community, one which celebrates diversity and provides equal opportunities for all
- to challenging under-representation, discrimination and differences in outcomes.
At UCEM we are working to meet the objectives set out in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement, and Widening Participation Strategy to ultimately widen participation in the built environment sector.
UCEM is a member of the 30% Club which collectively seeks to promote gender equality on Boards and Senior Management Teams in organisations across the world as a first step towards true diversity and equality. UCEM’s Board of Trustees is 35% female and its Senior Leadership Team is 56% female.
EQUALITY DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT
Built for inclusion
As a Board of Trustees, we believe that equality must be at the heart of any successful organisation. We are committed to increasing diversity and inclusion within the university college and the industries it serves.
We fully endorse and support the organisation’s EDI Commitment and its work to meet the objectives set out in its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, Code of Practice and Access and Participation Plan, and its EDI Commitment Statement to ultimately widen participation in the built environment sector.
In our role providing governance, monitoring and strategic direction for the institution we commit to:
- Including EDI on the agenda at every board meeting
- Regularly reviewing progress against EDI objectives
- Annually reviewing all UCEM’s EDI metrics
- Identifying a named EDI Lead Trustee
- Proactively work to increase the diversity of the board of trustees
- Ensure that all Trustee recruitment shortlists are inclusive of underrepresented groups
Amanda Clack
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Amanda has a focus on improving diversity and inclusion at both UCEM and in the built environment in her role as chair and she is also the author of Diversity and Inclusion in the Real Estate Sector.
Prof. Michelle Jones
Lead Trustee for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Michelle champions EDI across UCEM at board, staff and student level, bringing a commitment and institution-wide focus to delivering on the UCEM EDI Strategy and the Access and Participation Plan.
DIVERSITY IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
BUILT FOR CHANGE
The built environment needs a diverse workforce that reflects Britain’s diverse population. A workforce to utilise the innovation and technology available to match the needs of consumers in the built and natural environments.
Industry bodies including the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Construction Industry Training Board and the Chartered Institute of Building recognise the need and value of diversity in the industry and have developed policies and action plans to tackle barriers to entry, encourage a more diverse profession and grow the industry’s appeal to a broader population as a career of choice.
