FUTURE: PropTech features range of female speakers

FUTURE: PropTech has announced its roster of speakers, with the gender split being exactly 50%.

The event is taking place at the Business Design Centre in London on May 14, and promises to be ‘the most comprehensive PropTech conference to date’, with a theme focussed on ‘Open Collaboration’.

Industry experts such as Hendry Group’s chief executive officer Emma Hendry, RBS innovation programme manager Jo Saunders, and founder of DH Liberty and co-founder of Viva House, Dara Huang, have been invited to speak at the event.

Gary Chimwa, founder and chief executive officer of FUTURE: PropTech, said while diversity and inclusion are increasingly being championed in the sector, there’s a big difference between talking about diversity and taking action.

“I’m thrilled that in our fifth year we have found a balance. This landmark for diversity is a result of our commitment to excellence and creation of the most extensive PropTech network globally. We’re extremely proud to be championing the change the best we can and we hope that other events across industries can take note of what is possible.”

He added: “This is a great moment for addressing gender inequality at conferences and a strong step to further improve the diversity of our speakers in the future. Many thanks to RE: Women and Women Talk Real Estate for the awesome help so far.”

Orla Shields, a leading female figure in PropTech and chief executive officer of GetRentr, was asked what the biggest surprise of 2019 has been so far.

She answered: “In the Spring Statement, there was some positive news for the property industry that came as somewhat of a surprise given the black hole nature of Brexit consuming government attention.”

She explained that although the £3 billion pledged by Chancellor Philip Hammond has been welcomed by stakeholders across the industry, the 30,000 affordable homes to be built from this fund are a ‘drop in the ocean’ of the 2.1 million that Shelter estimates are required throughout the UK.

The conversations at the event will explore the fundamental changes taking place in people’s living, working and recreational lives – all of which are driven by global shifts such as demographics, technology, urbanisation – and how the real estate industry should adapt to meet these challenges.

Amidst the uncertain investor market, FUTURE: PropTech will also address where investors should allocate their capital for the highest return. There will be additional focus on occupiers, modern workplaces and the tenant experience.

“We are delighted that our industry partner FUTURE: PropTech has shown real commitment to gender diversity with a 50/50 line-up of male/female speakers,” Andrea Carpenter, director of Women Talk Real Estate, commented.

“It demonstrates that with forward planning and a thoughtful approach, the result can be an amazing array of female leaders on stage sharing their expertise.”

The show will feature forward-thinking real estate executives and property industry figureheads and will be set across two zones – the International Zone and the Residential Agent Zone – and is in association with Spark Energy. There will be 30 hours of content, with a further 121 meeting opportunities through the booking app.

FUTURE: PropTech has partnered with over 80 companies, with exhibitors including: Aberdeen Standard Investments, Asset Mapping, Arup, CBRE, Cherre, GetRentr, Hub Hub, Innogy, Mishcon de Reya, Re-Leased, Stokr, Spark Energy and W-Tech.

Once the event is over, all speakers and exhibitors are invited to a complimentary afterparty.

For more information and to purchase tickets, you can visit the FUTURE: PropTech website.