Freehold is a leading and unique networking forum for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender real estate professionals and allies working within the real estate sector. Since its official launch in September 2011, the group has grown to over 1100 members and continues to expand and welcomes active allies.
Our mission is to create a safe, fun network that supports LGBTQ+ people in the built environment industries. We want to create positive change and promote diversity and inclusion within our industry.
The aim of Freehold is to address the equality gap for the LGBTQ+ community. The property sector considerably lags behind other industries in tackling sexual orientation issues.
Evidence has demonstrated that people perform better when they are encouraged to be themselves and Freehold is there to provide support so that members of the group can feel empowered to do just that.
Network and grow with our member-only gatherings.
Learn from LBGTQ+ real estate leaders.
We help employers to embrace diversity and build a future where everyone thrives in the workplace.
Support from our internal network and corporate partners
Learn how we can support your organisation or network to grow
Helpful library of resources that offer support, interest and guidance
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Freehold has been run by team of dedicated volunteers since it was created in 2011 by David Mann and Saleem Fazal. In February 2022 David and Saleem passed the baton on to new co-chairs Scott Parsons and Kelly Canterford.
Kelly is the Director/Founder, of Tigrou Consulting.
Kelly’s career spanned media, sales and hospitality before qualifying as a chartered surveyor at JLL. Whilst at JLL Kelly worked as part of the Strategic Asset Management team and was a founding member of JLL’s LGBTQ+ Network Building Pride. With a growing interest in EDI Kelly started her business Tigrou Consulting and delivers equality, diversity and inclusion advice and training to companies globally. Kelly sits on the EG Inclusive Content Panel and Modus Content Panel and is Chair of ULI’s UK’s REDI Committee and a member of the ULI’s Executive Committee.
Scott leads Westfield’s UK business, including investment, development, construction and asset management for flagship destinations at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford, and major mixed-use developments in Croydon, Stratford, and White City. His illustrious 13-year tenure at LandSec culminated as Managing Director of their £6.3 billion Retail unit and a key D&I advocate on their board. He's also shaped Brookfield Europe's direction for three years and steered investment at GEReal Estate for a decade.
Scott has served as Board Director of the New West End Company and Vice President of the City Property Association. He is also a trustee of LandAid, focussed on ending homelessness, and has been on the Council of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution since retiring from the Thames Crew. He has been co-chair of Freehold since 2022.
Lucy is a Partner at HTA Design LLP – the UK’s largest residential only housing practice. She joined HTA over 20 years ago and has been a Partner since 2013, leading the communications, engagement and interiors teams.
She is also the Partner with responsibility for ED&I and has helped to deliver HTA’s comprehensive strategy and target work that not only impacts the work that is done in practice, but also within the wider industry.
Lucy is a member of HTA’s internal LGBTQ+ network, incl., and is active in the women@hta group, as well as speaking regularly on issues concerning LGBTQ+ parenting. She is also a Trustee of the London Society and a member of the Architecture Race Forum.
For Freehold, Lucy is responsible for leading the communications workstream.
Dan works at Battersea Power Station Development Company and is the commercial Leasing Director, negotiating with incoming tenants across retail, leisure, office and medical space across the estate. In addition, he works on sitewide commercialisation and sponsorship opportunities and is also on the ESG board.
Prior to working at Battersea Power Station, Dan worked at CBRE, starting on the graduate scheme and then moving into the London office leasing team.
Dan has been a member of Freehold for over six years, his role on the board focusses on organising events for the membership as well as re-establishing the mentoring scheme.
Paul Macey joined British Land in 2014, he has held various roles in Finance and Real Estate, including Head of Flexible Real Estate, and is currently the Head of Technology. In 2015, Paul was responsible for launching the British Land’s LGBTQ+ network, BL Pride, which he chaired for a number of years before joining the Freehold Board.
Paul is a qualified Chartered Accountant and prior to joining British Land worked within the Real Estate team at EY. Paul has been a Board Member of Freehold since 2019 and his role is focused on Board governance and finance.
Misa, Lendlease's European Head of Corporate Affairs and Marketing, boasts a 20-year real estate career, including roles at BNP Paribas and JLL. Previously, she served in marketing at EY and the Imperial War Museum. A Chartered Institute of Marketing Fellow, Misa chairs the judging panel for the Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors' awards.
A long-standing equality, diversity, and inclusion advocate, she honed her marketing skills through 1990s campaigns. Misa was pivotal in launching JLL's D&I programme in 2014. A Freehold member since 2014, she joined its board in 2018, managing communications, events, and charity representation.
Sarah, a partner at Boodle Hatfield LLP, leads the construction team, specialising in digital construction, sporting projects, and the Building Safety Act. A renowned expert in BIM and digital twins, she's published extensively and contributed to the Chartered Institute Of Building's Complex Projects Contract, particularly its BIM clauses. She's also penned a chapter on BIM's legal facets for The Construction Manager’s BIM Handbook and is a sought-after speaker on the subject.
Additionally, Sarah spearheads ED&I initiatives at Boodle Hatfield LLP, is an ESG committee member, and has championed multiple LGBTQ+ endeavors, including chairing LGBTQ+ networks at various law firms.
Anyi, founder of SEAM Advisory, specialises in merging ESG and DEI for real estate and social impact projects. With asset management experience at J. Safra Real Estate, Grosvenor, and Commerz Real, she's executed intricate ESG and Regeneration projects.
Her diverse background spans finance, fashion, and consultancy roles across the US, UK, and Europe, fluently speaking five languages. A New York Blatina*, Anyi has affiliations with Black Women in Asset Management, Black Women in Real Estate, and The Mentoring Circle. Formerly a Cripplegate Foundation governor, she joined the Freehold board in May 2023.
(*Blatina: Own term)
Marko, a chartered project management surveyor (MRICS) at Clarion Housing Group, specialises in urban regeneration schemes, guiding affordable projects from feasibility to initiation. A Freehold board member since 2019, he's penned thought leadership articles, orchestrated Freehold’s Pride in London events, and facilitated social activities.
Committed to mentorship, Marko boasts a 100% success rate mentoring RICS APC candidates. He passionately advocates for the real-estate industry, speaking at schools, universities, career fairs, and major conferences.
Sarah leads the Savills Public Sector Bids team with over 11 years’ bidding experience. Since joining in 2020, she has strengthened Public Sector tenders. Sarah provides end-to-end bid management, alongside contributing to Social Value answers. She drives continuous improvement, leading to increased scores and successful framework appointments.
At Savills, Sarah is the Business Development Diversity & Inclusion representative, acting as the key contact for pitch information and updating business-wide material. Sarah is a steering committee member of Savills’ LGBTQ+ and Social Mobility working groups, contributing to diversity-related strategies and reverse mentoring.
At Freehold, she is a Next Gen Board Member.
Eric is a Senior Consultant at CBRE, specialising in prime real estate in London and international markets. With a background in marketing and governance, Eric brings a wealth of experience to his role.
Eric is also a member of CBRE's Proud Network, and serves as a Trustee of Kakilang - a performing arts charity that promotes multi-disciplinary artforms from a diverse range of Southeast and East Asian artists.
At Freehold, he is a Next Gen Board Member.
The Freehold Ambassadors group is made up of board alumni and supporters who have made an outstanding contribution to the industry’s LGBTQ+ community.
The group’s purpose is to promote Freehold and its activities in improving diversity and inclusion of LGBTQ+ real estate professionals and to provide ongoing support and encouragement to the sitting Freehold Board.
The Freehold Ambassadors group is made up of board alumni and supporters who have made an outstanding contribution to the industry’s LGBTQ+ community.
The group’s purpose is to promote Freehold and its activities in improving diversity and inclusion of LGBTQ+ real estate professionals and to provide ongoing support and encouragement to the sitting Freehold Board.
Explore the transformative history of Freehold, where passion and progress converged to create a vibrant community for LGBTQ+ professionals in real estate. Scroll through the pivotal moments that have shaped our path, celebrated diversity, and paved the way for a more inclusive future in the industry.
