A well-established London-based estate agent has called for a greater industry wide push to boost diversity in the sector after a Savills employee was this week suspended for allegedly posting a racist tweet about England’s Euro final defeat.
Becky Fatemi, director of the Marylebone-based Rokstone, told the Evening Standard that the incident highlighted “discrimination and prejudice that exists across the property industry”.
She continued: “Over my 25 years in the sector I have experienced racism and sexism first hand, and it still happens to me today on a regular basis.
“I run a very diverse team in prime central London and am starkly aware that there are few other estate agents operating in the area which can say the same.
“If we are to change the archaic property industry we must start at the very top tier, with the largest companies.
“Currently, the majority of the executive boards within the sector do not have anywhere near enough female representation nor people of colour.
“I am happy to work with other agents and lead a cross-company, industry-wide task force to start making change real within property.”
Savills has launched an investigation after the now-deleted comment was posted after England were beaten by Italy in a penalty shootout.
The estate agent claims that his Twitter account was hacked and the matter is “being referred to Greater Manchester Police”, according to Savills.
Savills estate agent linked to racist tweet claims account was hacked
I went to buy a loaf of bread today. Its archaic that I still have to…oh yeah, who cares.
Fake tech is not the same as cloud tech.
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She is right about diversity, whether you like it or not. Take a look for yourself at the boards of the largest and highest profile property firms. Pale, male and stale.
Using words like “archaic” won’t achieve anything, and no one will join a cause which has such a negative attitude, but her underlying message is correct.
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Nothing Ilike seeing a bandwagon…and running straight for it, for a bit of self-promotion.
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yes its is totally boring
When I employ someone I do not care what colour they are
I have an office in a area where there is a wide ethnic mix
Whenever I have advertised a job there is barely any interest from anyone whi is not white brit
Maybe it just does not appeal for some reason
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I may not agree with much that jan – byers posts… in fact I disagree with the vast majority – but I fail to see why this particular one has collected a number of ‘thumbs down’?
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Maybe because predominately the citizens of this country are white has something to do with ratio’s? Free passes’ to employ people who are not the best candidate, no matter what their origins to satisfy the political agenda …. asking for trouble.
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We are in a predominately white society (around 86% in England) but that still leaves 13% that aren’t. The suggestion that someone of colour sitting on a senior exec board would require a ‘free pass’ is exactly the mentality that needs to be addressed. If you genuinely haven’t met someone of colour, someone who is openly LQBTQ or, I don’t know, someone who is a woman that would do a better job than some sat on boards atm then I think you need to get out and meet more people. In London, where so many of the big agencies are Headquartered, ethnic diversity accounts for approximately 40% of the population! Do you see that representation on boards here? Time to start educating yourself.
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This is the rub, there are many people of colour arguably given jobs because of political agenda and not necessarily the best candidate and does open the question of being given a free pass. This is a problem for many employers who are now more concerned about being politically correct, when the business should come first … the right people for the right job. The backlash is that it if this is found to be the case, it is counter productive and creates even greater hostility by those that feel they have been unfairly disadvantaged by the race card. I have many friends and business associates of ethnic groups and very good at their jobs.
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‘there are many people of colour arguably given jobs because of political agenda’- I’d love to hear the evidence to substantiate this statement. Do you have case studies of this particularly within our industry? The default position that this is why POC have achieved a lofty position is the exact issue. If this is the case- then why aren’t the Boards already more diverse? Many employers state an issue of a lack of applications from women, POC and (openly) LGBTQ+s but it is our responsibility as employers to seek out these people and to encourage those that do not put themselves forwards to do so. One of the biggest issues to tackle is the very people we need not putting themselves forward either because they don’t believe they are good enough (when they absolutely are) or they believe that their diversity will ensure they will not secure the role- so they don’t apply. If you see an entire senior structure with no one you can identify with then you assume (right or wrong) there this is no place for a person like you within that organisation.
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Oh yeah loads and loads case studies and not just within this industry, it is often openly advertised on the grounds of diversity. It is not illegal if it can be shown to be ‘occupational diversity’. Which of course throws the companies that promote ‘equal opportunities’ a curved ball when its not occupantional diversity but out and out racism. Maybe you should be providing the evidence to support your claims that management boards are white because they are acting for some other reason and why there is no diversity (would not fall under occupantional diversity) or maybe they have the right people.
Quote: We are in a predominately white society (around 86% in England) but that still leaves 13% that aren’t.
Law of averages come into play with any industry.
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I want to meet one of the 1% that are neither.
Maybe I already have – they must be completely transparent.
I’ve ‘seen through’ a lot of chancers in my time – is that them?
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…. and of course most boards are elected by the members of the organisation or shareholders.
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The time for words and token gestures has long since passed. Most of the largest agencies display their boards and it is clear for all to see- almost entirely white male with a small female representation. Few people of colour, few openly LGBTQ and I can’t think of any representing those with disabilities. Apart from anything else, diversity has been proven time and time again to deliver better results- if you don’t want to diversify for the right reason then do it to make more money- whatever the reason, just do it.
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“Apart from anything else, diversity has been proven time and time again to deliver better results- if you don’t want to diversify for the right reason then do it to make more money”
Kristjan – genuinely not trying to be seen as awkward, controversial or, heavens forbid, anti-anything/anybody here… (and for the record in this respect, I have a number of both close friends and family who tick one or more of the boxes you refer to in terms of diversity. To me they are simply who they are – and I love them all for being who they are.)
But, purely in relation to the above statement, you asked a question of Woodentop earlier in your post, which I must throw back at you on that point:
“Do you have case studies of this particularly within our industry?”
Or within any industry?
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The team listed on Rokstone’s website is 100% female. That ‘s less diverse than Savills management but for some reason I’ve yet to see the outcry about it?
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The sad fact that is that we should be championing/celebrating that fact rather than ridiculing it. It’s 2020 pal, time to catch up.
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KByfield04,
Your response to Gloslet’s comment, has confused me a little…It seems that you feel that provided a non-diverse team is made up of anyone other than white males, it’s to be applauded.
Forgive me, but surely ”diversity” (as this is something you are clearly passionate about- which is great) as an ideal, is a constant…an unequivocal/inalienable constant at that.
Should white men (who are white men not out of choice, but by the mysterious processes of nature) feel guilty and responsible for the worlds ills, simply for being so? This is the sort of self-flagellation I referred to in another comment on PIE, today.
This does seem to be a very confused and hypocritical stance.
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