CIOB and seven other leading professional bodies from across the built environment sector have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) by signing a new five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The new agreement continues the work of BE Inclusive group and builds on the success of the original three-year MoU signed in April 2022 by CIOB, the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Landscape Institute (LI), Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
The MoU has now welcomed two additional signatories, the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) and the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES).
Since launching their first joint EDI action plan, the collaboration has focused on improving standards across the built environment professions, aligning EDI practices and delivering significant progress in the sector.
The MoU has:
- Developed a unified approach to data collection across the UK and internationally, formulating a clear picture of the diversity of memberships in the built environment and identifying gaps to inform and target actions, supporting better benchmarking and transparency.
- Conducted research with students and employers, offering new insights into the barriers that hinder entry and progression, particularly in graduate recruitment and retention.
- Hosted six sector-wide events and produced practical guidance to help employers create more inclusive environments, especially for disabled professionals and women.
- Influenced broader industry change, contributing to the Construction Leadership Council’s EDI vision and supporting initiatives led by the Construction Industry Council (CIC).
This extended partnership reflects a shared ambition to accelerate progress and embed meaningful, long-term change across the built environment professions.
