Equality at University of the built environment
Built for people
At University of the Built Environment 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.
We provide 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 University of the Built Environment, 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.
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.
The University 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. Our Board of Trustees is 36% female and its Senior Leadership Team is 50% female.
Equality diversity and inclusion statement
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 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 the institution’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
Ros Kerslake CBE
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Ros is committed to improving diversity and inclusion at both the University and in the built environment through her role as chair, working closely with the Lead Trustee for EDI to ensure this remains a key focus area for the institution.
Dr Liz Marr
Lead Trustee for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Liz champions EDI across the University at board, staff and student level, bringing a commitment and institution-wide focus to delivering on the University of the Built Environment EDI Strategy and the Access and Widening Participation Strategy.
Diversity in the built environment
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.
Supply Chain Sustainability School Inclusion Toolkit
University of the Built Environment is proud to be working in partnership with the Supply Chain Sustainability School to develop a practical, sector‑focused Inclusion Toolkit designed specifically for medium‑sized businesses. This collaboration brings together our shared commitment to enhancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)—or, as increasingly framed within the built‑environment sector, Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR). The toolkit responds to a clear need across the industry for accessible, evidence‑based guidance that helps organisations move beyond statements of intent and embed inclusive practice into everyday operations.
At the heart of the toolkit is a message from Callum Haire, the University’s Student Officer for Inclusion, emphasising the importance of creating environments where people feel valued, represented and able to thrive. The resource also incorporates findings from our recent research exploring how EDI is communicated through outward‑facing webpages and marketing materials. This research highlights that the visibility, authenticity and clarity of an organisation’s public commitment to inclusion play a significant role in shaping trust, belonging and recruitment outcomes.
In addition to insights from the University, the toolkit curates a selection of outstanding resources from the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s FIR Programme, including guidance on inclusive leadership, effective communication, good practice case studies and practical tools that help organisations assess their current culture and plan for meaningful change. By bringing these elements together, the toolkit is designed to support medium‑sized businesses in building confidence, capacity and consistency in their EDI work, regardless of where they are on their inclusion journey.
This collaboration forms an important part of our Access and Participation Plan and reflects our commitment to supporting not only our students, but the wider built environment they will go on to shape. By working with the Supply Chain Sustainability School, we are helping to ensure that medium‑sized organisations have the tools, insight and confidence they need to build fairer, more inclusive workplaces that benefit everyone."
Charlotte Thackeray
Outreach and Inclusion Lead