Bristol’s Property Inclusion Charter, the first of its kind in the UK, has welcomed the businesses behind an ultra-sustainable later living community in the city – taking its membership to more than 50.
FORE Partnership, Amicala and First Base have signed up to the charter to deliver on its key pledges of boosting diversity and inclusion. 
Together the three partners are bringing forward a new net-zero later living community at the former St Christopher’s School in Westbury Park.
The charter recognises that the property sector continues to lag behind other industries in terms of its diversity and inclusivity and aims to ensure that opportunities in the industry are available to all, regardless of their background.
Backed by Bristol City Council, it commits signatories to pursuing seven objectives, aimed at improving the diversity and inclusivity of the workforce, supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds or under-represented parts of the local community, and encouraging signatories to ensure those in their supply chains to do the same.
The charter also commits signatories to monitoring their progress and regular reporting. 
It was founded by Karl Brown, pictured, a commercial property partner in the Bristol office of law firm Clarke Willmott.
Karl is also a social mobility ambassador for the Law Society of England and Wales and was the first Black president of Bristol Junior Chamber.
Ethical investor and B Corporation FORE Partnership acquired the former St Christopher’s School in partnership with later living operator Amicala earlier this year.
Together with developer First Base the partners are bringing forward ‘extra care’ development on the site – a form of later living that support residents to age in place, easing strains on the NHS and social care sector, with a core focus on wellbeing and the provision of care and lifestyle services.
The firms are currently at the early stages of engagement with the local community on plans for the development, with workshops exploring the early design concepts to be hosted with neighbours to the site in September, followed by further consultation events in the autumn.
Karl Brown said: “I am very grateful for the fantastic support of FORE Partnership, Amicala and First Base as signatories to the Bristol Property Inclusion Charter.
“I firmly believe that it is only through collaboration and working together that property companies can bring change to the diversity and inclusion in the property sector and that if we succeed in boosting diversity and inclusion within it then the sector will be enhanced and enriched by the talent available in all of our diverse communities.
“I look forward to working with all three companies in trying to ensure that the composition of the property sector becomes more reflective of the communities which are served by it and that those from communities under-represented in property become more aware of the fantastic career opportunities available in the sector.”
First Base project director Lucinda Mitchelladded: “Bristol is a vibrant, multicultural city and one of the UK’s most diverse.
“It is no secret that in the past the property industry has lagged behind others in promoting diversity.
“But First Base, together with Amicala and FORE, are determined to do all we can address that, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because diversity in itself enhances business, organisations and communities and makes them stronger.
“As we develop our plans for a new later living community in Westbury Park we will be exploring many different ways to promote inclusion, along with our commitments to generate positive environmental and social impact through the project.”
