A network for real estate professionals aiming to progress equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals working within the real estate sector.

Aims

• To provide a welcoming, supportive, safe and confidential space for LGBT+ real estate professionals to meet, share and discuss views, experiences or concerns.
• To provide opportunities for peer networking, information sharing, and personal and professional development for Freehold members.
• To raise the profile, inspire and promote the achievements of LGBT+ real estate professionals.
• To develop and maintain relationships with other relevant external LGBT+ groups and networks.
• Provide a platform for fundraising for LGBT+ community related charities. (Charity to be selected by the Board from time to time).

Membership and structure

Membership is open to all individuals who:

• identify themselves as being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgendered; and
• a Real Estate Professional; or
• a Professional employed by a Real Estate company; or a Person employed by a company who provides Real Estate services

An application for membership will be made online via the Freehold website and the Board’s decision will be final in relation to each application. The Network’s Board can exercise discretion to suspend a member where the individual has demonstrated views, opinions or actions that would significantly conflict with:

• the Aims listed above, and/or,
• the Code of Conduct for Freehold events, and/or,
• upholding good relations between people with different protected characteristics, namely age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, gender and sexual orientation.

Freehold will have its own Board that oversees the running of the Network. The Board will aim to be representative of the Network membership. It shall consist of ten members including:

• Two Co-Chairs, who will be responsible for:
  • ensuring that the Network acts in accordance with the Aims listed above;
  • promoting the different interests and common concerns of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered communities served by the Network;
  • representing the Network to internal and external stakeholders; and
  • determining membership of Freehold and the Board
    
    
• The Co-Chairs are:
  • Saleem Fazal, Partner, Taylor Wessing LLP
  • David Mann, Partner, Tuffin Ferraby Taylor LLP
    
    
• Eight additional board members, who will be responsible for assisting the Co-Chairs in achieving the objectives of Freehold as follows:
  • Brian Bickell, Chief Executive, Shaftesbury plc
  • Brie Stevens-Hoare QC – Hardwicke Chambers
  • Chris Edwards, Travers Smith
  • Kelly Canterford, Programme Manager, Changing the Face of Property
  • Marko Salopek, Project Manager, Clarion Housing Group
  • Misa von Tunzelman, Director, BNP Paribas Real Estate
  • Ollie Saunders, Partner, JLL
  • Paul Macey, Property Finance Director, British Land
    
    
• Board members and Chairs have responsibility for driving other Freehold objectives as follows:
  
  • Networking and events – David Mann and Saleem Fazal
    This involves identifying host organisations and organising a calendar of networking events
  • Professional development – Ollie Saunders/Brie Stevens-Hoare QC
    This involves developing professional development opportunities – including a seminar programme and mentoring scheme
  • Marketing and membership – Saleem Fazal and Misa von Tunzelman
    This involves hosting the Freehold website and communicating with Freehold members
  • Employer engagement – Chris Edwards
    This involves working directly with employers within the sector to improve the working lives of LGBT+ employees
  • Charitable aims – Brian Bickell
    This involves developing Freehold charitable giving capacity
  • Womxn initiatives – Brie Stevens-Hoare QC and Kelly Canterford
    Encouraging and Promoting the interests of female members of the Network
  • Finance and Governance – Paul Macey
    This involves oversight of funding provided by Freehold sponsors and the administration of the Board activities.

Each of the above leads will involve additional Freehold members to achieve its aims and objectives. Each lead will also be responsible for drawing up an annual Programme Plan to be submitted to the Board for approval.

The Board requires five people to be quorate, including at least one of the Co-Chairs.

A review of the Board will be conducted at the end of each year, giving governing members the opportunity to opt out or change role if they find their circumstances change.

Budget

The Network will operate without a set budget and will operate in a not for profit capacity.

Resources

A meeting space for the Board will be provided by board members. The group will aim to meet at least 3 times a year. Freehold events will be hosted by approaching organisations affiliated with the Network. The Board will be responsible for securing suitable venues for Freehold events.

Events

Freehold will aim to hold at least four professional networking and professional development events every year.

Modification

Modifications to these Terms of Reference will require the agreement of both Co-Chairs.

Updated August 2020