NEWS AND INSIGHTS

As we step into 2026, it feels important to pause and reflect on the year just gone. 2025 was a year of turbulence for diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). Globally, we saw policies rolled back, titles changed, and programmes dropped under political pressure. In the UK, far‑right rhetoric gained visibility, reshaping public debate and creating new challenges for organisations committed to equity. Yet amidst the uncertainty, there were moments of resilience and clarity. Companies like Transport for London (TfL) took a stand, showing that inclusivity is not optional but integral to values alignment and business success.

For those of us running DE&I consultancies, such as PREACH Inclusion, 2025 was a reminder that our work must constantly evolve. It was a year of pivoting – towards empathy, allyship, and authenticity – and it set the stage for what I believe will define the year ahead.

As 2025 draws to a close, it feels important to pause and reflect on what this year has meant for diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) – both globally and here in the UK. Running a DE&I consultancy like PREACH Inclusion during such turbulent times has offered a front‑row seat to the challenges, the resilience, and the shifts shaping the sector. This review captures the peaks and troughs of the year, the responses from organisations and communities, and my own perspective on what lies ahead in 2026.

This Black History Month, we caught up with Charlotte Palmer, Raheem Adepoju and Kayleen Owusu-Boateng — three professionals working across planning, development and communications at organisations partnered with PREACH Inclusion®.

In this conversation, they reflect on their roles in shaping the built environment, the visibility of Black heritage in public spaces, and how identity and lived experience influence their work. From community engagement and cultural representation to power and policy, they speak candidly about what meaningful inclusion looks like — and what this year’s Black History Month theme, “Standing Firm in Power and Pride,” means to them both personally and professionally.

National Inclusion Week is a call to embed inclusion as daily practice, not just principle, especially in a climate where far-right extremism and identity-based hate are resurging. This year’s theme, Now is the Time, urges organisations to move from performative gestures to courageous, sustained action. For many ethnic minority communities, these threats are not new, and the question remains: who truly belongs, and who is still being pushed to the margins?

This month, we caught up with Tom Cherrill, Account Director, and Iman Mohamed, Account Executive, from Grayling Planning & Infrastructure (P&I) – one of PREACH Inclusion’s corporate partners. Grayling’s P&I team provides communication and stakeholder engagement services that support the UK’s energy transition, major economic development projects and infrastructure delivery.

This month, we caught up with Dina Morsy, Senior Consultant and Lenishae Brown, Graduate Surveyor at JLL – one of PREACH Inclusion’s corporate partners.

Both Dina and Lenishae have carved out impressive careers in real estate and property management, while navigating challenges and breaking down barriers. As Co-Chairs of Race for Change (R4C), JLL’s Business Resource Group focused on racial equity, they are helping to create a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued, ensuring that real estate is built for everyone – not just a select few.

As we mark one year since rebranding to PREACH Inclusion, we're taking a moment to reflect on the transition - what we've learnt, how we've adapted and the impact of embracing a name that better reflects our values.

Moving away from BAME in Property was about more than just language. It was about creating space for race, ethnicity, and cultural heritage to be explored meaningfully. The shift has reinforced the importance of intersectional inclusion, cultural intelligence and thoughtful conversations about identity.

To celebrate this milestone, we're inviting you to be part of #MyPREACHStory: a campaign highlighting the experiences, traditions, and perspectives that shape who we are. Join us in sharing what race, ethnicity and cultural heritage mean to you.

This month, we caught up with Kitesh Patel, Director of Risk at Places for People (PfP), one of PREACH Inclusion’s corporate partners.

During our conversation, we reflected on his upbringing, career trajectory and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). From his early experiences in Leicester to his current role in one of the UK’s largest social enterprises, Kitesh’s story offers valuable lessons on navigating personal identity, professional challenges, and making a lasting impact in both the workplace and society.

This month, we had the privilege of sitting down with Nicole Benford, Associate Director, and Alexandra “Lex” Nchidwuor, Account Executive, from Cavendish Consulting—one of PREACH Inclusion’s corporate partners. Cavendish is a UK-based communications consultancy renowned for its expertise in corporate, planning communications, political, and creative services.

The interview explores not only Nicole and Lex’s career paths but also their shared commitment to making DEI a core aspect of Cavendish’s culture and mission. Through candid discussions about mentorship, challenges, and lessons learned, Nicole and Lex highlight the importance of fostering inclusivity and authenticity in the communications industry.

In the UK, ethnicity pay gap reporting is currently voluntary, unlike gender pay gap reporting, which is mandatory for companies with 250 or more employees. However, the issue is gaining attention, with advocacy groups calling for mandatory reporting to hold employers accountable for addressing ethnic pay disparities.

Within the Built Environment sector, only a few companies are voluntarily reporting their ethnicity pay gaps, highlighting that the lack of legal requirements may be hindering broader adoption.

Read on, as we explore the current state of ethnicity pay gap reporting, key challenges, and why companies in the Built Environment sector should take action to address this issue.

As we approach the festive period, we’re reflecting on what has been a fantastic year.

One key word that sums up 2024 for us is evolving. This year has marked significant growth, not just in what we do, but how we do it and who we are.

A key milestone this year was our rebrand. After seven years of operating as BAME in Property, we made the bold decision to rebrand to PREACH Inclusion in April. PREACH, standing for Promoting Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage, signalled a new chapter for us.

This month, we had the pleasure of speaking with Jiyoung Jo, Senior Cities Account Manager, and Darius Subramaniam, Multimedia Creative Specialist at ING Media, one of PREACH Inclusion’s corporate partners. Despite having varying backgrounds and expertise, their shared experiences of navigating complex cultural identities while forging meaningful careers within Built Environment communications, offer a unique perspective on their journeys.