International property consultancy Avison Young has signed up to the Bristol Property Inclusion Charter, which supports and drives diversity and inclusion in the property sector across the city.
Founded by Karl Brown, a partner in the commercial property team in Clarke Willmott, the charter is the UK’s first city-wide property industry initiative of its kind. 
Avison Young, which has an office in Bristol, joins the likes of Bristol City Council, UWE Bristol, Places for People, and YTL Land Property UK – the developer behind the YTL Arena and the redevelopment of Filton Airfield (now called Brabazon) – in signing the charter, each striving to create a workforce in that reflects 21st century Bristol.
They are committed to raising the aspirations of local potential entrants – particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds or from under-represented parts of the local community – to the property industry.
Some 35 companies in total have so far signed the pledge. 
Avison Young Bristol principal and managing director Gordon Isgrove, pictured, said: “We believe in the positive impact commercial real estate can make in people’s lives. That’s why as a global real estate advisor powered by people, we’re driven by a common purpose to create real economic, social and environmental value.
“And that’s why we’ve signed up to the Bristol Property Inclusion Charter and are determined to play our part in achieving a fully inclusive property profession in the city. There’s a wealth of talent in the city, and we will work to promote Bristol as a place where all hard working and talented persons can join and progress in the property industry regardless of background.”
He said supporting the charter was an important part of the firm’s wider social and educational involvement, such as its work with East Street Mews, the project in Bedminster that brings together businesses, charities and experts to create vital housing that will transform the lives of young homeless people, along with industry apprenticeships.
The charter will be supported by a new body, the Bristol Property Inclusion Commission, which will be chaired by Karl Brown, a social mobility ambassador for the Law Society of England and Wales who was the first ever black president of Bristol business group, the Bristol Junior Chamber. 
Karl, pictured, said: “I founded the charter because I believe that the fantastic opportunities in the property industry in Bristol should be available to all persons regardless of their background and that the Bristol property industry will be enhanced and enriched by such diversity.”
The full list of signatories to the charter is:
- UWE, Bristol;
- Bristol and Bath Regional Capital CIC;
- Nash Partnership;
- United Communities;
- Autograph Homes;
- Savills – Bristol office;
- YTL Land Property UK – Bristol office;
- Turner and Townsend – Bristol office;
- Sanderson Weatherall – Bristol office;
- First Base;
- WSP;
- Campbell Reith – Bristol office;
- FBE;
- Constructing Excellence Bristol Club;
- The Architecture Centre;
- LiveWest;
- AHR;
- The PG Group;
- MDA Consulting Ltd;
- Proud to Build;
- Willmott Dixon;
- Places For People – Bristol office;
- Bristol City Council;
- Lambert Smith Hampton;
- Cubex;
- Bouygues UK;
- Gleeds;
- Urban Creation Ltd;
- Hoare Lea;
- Cushman & Wakefield – Bristol office;
- Hollis Morgan;
- Hartnell Taylor Cook – Bristol office;
- Avison Young – Bristol office;
- City of Bristol College;
- Turley – Bristol office.
