More than a dozen leading real estate businesses came together last week to launch Pride in Property 2026, an industry initiative aimed at promoting LGBTQIA+ inclusion across the built environment.
The event took place on 4 June at One Ninety Four Piccadilly in London and marked the start of the capital’s Pride season. It brought together more than 700 LGBTQIA+ professionals and allies from across the property sector for an evening of networking, fundraising and discussion around diversity and inclusion in the industry.
Since its launch in 2024, Pride in Property has attracted more than 1,000 attendees across its events, with organisers positioning it as a platform to encourage greater awareness and understanding of LGBTQIA+ issues within the built environment.
The launch event also confirmed that all proceeds from the 2026 gathering will be donated to Switchboard. This is a volunteer-led national LGBT+ helpline that provides support and information on issues including sexuality, gender identity, mental health and discrimination.
Several major property firms have backed the initiative, including Berkeley Group, British Land, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, Grosvenor, JLL, Knight Frank, Lendlease, Related Argent, Savills and The Crown Estate.
Industry network Freehold LGBT+ returned as network partner, while LCA acted as communications partner.
The event featured entertainment hosted by drag performers Aeliana and Luna, with organisers outlining plans for next year’s event.
‘A celebration of how far we have come’
Laura Sears, Pride network chair at British Land and co-chair of Pride in Property, said the continued growth of the organisation reflects wider efforts across the built environment sector to improve diversity, equity and inclusion and create workplaces that are welcoming to people from all backgrounds.
“Pride in Property represents a genuine milestone for our industry, made possible by the partnerships and shared commitment behind it. Bringing organisations together in this way helps amplify voices, share best practice and drive real progress, reinforcing the role our sector can play in creating more inclusive, welcoming places for all,” she said.
Misa von Tunzelman, executive director of corporate affairs and marketing – development, at Lendlease, said: “I’m super proud that we’re a founding partner of Pride in Property. It is a glorious celebration of how far we have come in LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the industry over the last decade or so.
“When I joined the industry 22 years ago from a progressive Big Four accounting firm, it felt like going back in time; there were very few out role models or visible allies, no networks, little or no publicity around EDI or policies to protect LGBTQIA+ people from discrimination. Fast forward to today, and the world feels very different – you see that change very clearly walking into this huge industry Pride celebration! It is a statement about who we are as an industry now and what we stand for.”
