Against the backdrop of the Gascoigne estate site we are building in Barking, at the close of our 125th year.
Helen Bunch, Executive Managing Director, Residential, sat down with Property Week to discuss how we are making diversity and inclusion a top priority to improve and secure business for the future.
In the interview, Helen discusses the steps we have taken in recent years to support our people, recruit a more diverse workforce and improve our gender balance to ensure we have an environment where talent can thrive. Building on this theme, Helen, says:
“I work with the team to create an environment that enables everybody in the business to be themselves, so that they feel comfortable in the organisation and can therefore give their best.”
Helen Bunch
Executive Managing Director
The article discusses the lack of women in senior roles, and the need for them to have a fair chance to develop their careers. It highlights how we have introduced our Wates Women and Allies network and how men have recently been invited to be allies. On this topic, Helen comments:
I’ve got a 50-50 split of men and women on my board – so women that come into the business can see there absolutely is a place for women at the top table.”
Helen Bunch
Executive Managing Director
She also discusses other initiatives to promote diversity, including supporting people from different ethnic minority groups, such as the introduction of a reverse mentoring scheme, which encourages leaders to reflect of their privilege.
The interview also highlights how Wates’ residential business has grown and how its healthy pipeline, with thousands of homes in active joint ventures with local authorities, will enable us to invest in people and the communities we work in for years to come.
The article is available to read in full here.
