RICS and Freehold, the networking forum for LGBT real estate professionals, are hosting an event to celebrate diversity within the property industry and raise the profile of LGBT real estate professionals on 4 July at RICS, Parliament Square, SW1.

The event is entitled Surveying Diversity: An Independence Day Celebration! and will provide an opportunity for LGBT property professionals to network and share their experiences.

The evening will also include a Q&A session with a panel comprising Louise Brooke-Smith, RICS President-Elect 2013-14, David Mann, Co-founder Freehold, Chris Edwards, Client Manager of Stonewall and Alistair Milne, RICS Director of HR and Corporate Responsibility.

Brooke-Smith said: “Our profession has every reason to be proud of its diverse membership and the valuable contribution our LGBT members have made, and continue to make, to the property industry.

“I look forward to a lively discussion on how RICS can further support and promote equality within UK real estate.”

Mann added: “Although there has been some movement in recent years towards greater inclusion of minorities in the property industry, undoubtedly more can be done to promote diversity in all its forms across the profession.

“The fact remains that LGBT property professionals can experience a sense of isolation and even, in the worst cases, discriminatory views and behaviour.

“This event will hopefully bring to light some of the barriers impeding entry to the profession and provide solutions to eradicate attitudes that are sadly still held by some in the profession.

“We are very proud to be partnering our summer event with RICS as the leading organisation within real estate.”