HR professionals and diversity and inclusion champions representing the breadth of the home building sector gathered today for the annual Home Builders Federation (HBF) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Seminar.

This year’s event, held as we conclude a month of diversity awareness such as Pride enter Disability Pride Month, was chaired by Craig Timmins, Regional Training Manager at Persimmon Homes. It included a mix of information sessions from expert speakers and workshops offering attendees the opportunity to share best practice approaches to EDI challenges within industry.

Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive of HBF, opened the seminar by emphasising the importance of EDI in “creating a stronger, more resilient home building industry that reflects the communities in which it builds”. He highlighted both ongoing challenges, such as a lack of workforce diversity, and positive initiatives like the Women into Home Building programme, urging collaboration and commitment to drive meaningful change.

Paul Ball, Partner at Gateley Legal, followed with a presentation that explored the EDI implications of the Employment Rights Bill which is currently making its way through Parliament. His insights offered a timely perspective on the legal context shaping workplace policies, rights, and employer responsibilities.

Mike Scott, Chief Financial Officer of Barratt Redrow, addressed the importance of being an ally and the power of internal networks to support diverse groups and drive change. His session prompted an insightful Q&A on how leaders can act with authenticity and support colleagues from underrepresented backgrounds.

Philip Hallgate, Head of Health and Safety at NHBC and Chair of the NHBC Enabled Network, presented on the NHBC Sunflower Campaign and the importance of supporting people with hidden disabilities on site. He emphasised the role of visible symbols and inclusive policies in creating respectful working environments.

The day also included panel discussions on barriers to on-site inclusion, looking into how industry can make tangible steps to improve representation across all levels of the workforce. Issues discussed included the role of reverse mentoring, school outreach programmes and removing bias from recruitment processes. Panellists included Victoria Anthony, Group Human Resources Director at The Hill Group; Lee Bishop, Group Managing Director and Divisional Chair of Manchester at Taylor Wimpey; and Tracey Hill, Project and Contract Manager at HBF.

Additionally, there was also a panel chaired by Craig Timmins, drawing on insights from Heike O’Leary, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Untypical, and Esther Dijkstra, Managing Director at Lloyds Banking Group. Their discussion shed light on EDI learnings from other industries that can be adapted to home building.

Dana James-Edwards, Head of Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) at the Supply Chain Sustainability School (SCSS), closed the learning sessions with an update on SCSS initiatives and how they align with industry goals. Dana urged home builders to take part in the SCSS’s benchmark diversity study and announced the school is developing an app aimed at on-site workers which will include modules such as the beauty of difference.

Emma Ramell, Director of External Affairs at HBF, said: “Creating an inclusive and diverse home building sector is not a ‘nice to have’, it’s essential for our future. Events like this help to build a community of people committed to meaningful change, and we’re proud to be working closely with members across the sector to embed EDI into every part of the industry.”

For more information on HBF’s work in diversity and inclusion, visit hbf.co.uk/diversity.