Senior Property Leaders Unite Against Youth Homelessness
On Tuesday 31 May 2022, senior figures from across the property industry gathered at CBRE's newly renovated Henrietta House in London to join the new Patrons Programme run by the charity LandAid, which works to end youth homelessness. CBRE sponsored the event.
The programme brings together the industry's most senior people to raise awareness of the charity's work and widen its reach through their networks. The event was opened by LandAid chief executive Paul Morrish with Neil Slater (abrdn's global head of real estate), the charity's incoming chair of trustees, and Rob Bould of Bould Consulting, the outgoing chair.
Bould, who proposed the idea while chair, said LandAid had built wide networks and had a significant impact during its 36-year history. He explained that, while money is always welcome, the Patrons' role centres on promotion, advocacy and engagement: using their experience and influence to spread the word, win over new partners and help build a genuine social movement across the industry.
Slater said he was impressed by LandAid's impact and noted that youth homelessness was at a level not seen for decades, with the charities LandAid backs facing a perfect storm. He said industry support had never been more needed.
Morrish said the aim is a social movement at every level of the industry. Having an Ambassadors Network for rising talent, the charity now needs Patrons from the senior end of the spectrum to raise awareness of homelessness and the employment challenges facing young people.
