We are one of nine leading professional bodies from across the built environment sector to have reaffirmed our collective commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) by signing a new five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
About B.E. Inclusive
The new agreement continues the work of the B.E. (Built Environment) Inclusive group and builds on the success of the original three-year MoU signed in April 2022.
The original action plan was developed by:
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
- The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
- The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
- The Landscape Institute (LI)
- The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
- The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)
On 3 June 2025, the CEOs of each founding organisation re-signed the MoU Charter as a commitment to continuing their efforts in equity, diversity and inclusion.
We also welcomed three new signatories:
- The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)
- The Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES)
- The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT)
Latest updates on our action plan
The action plan, originally signed on 26 April 2022, sets out how all participating organisations, collectively representing 370,000 members, would work together to deliver the three objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding (PDF).
It also set out the deadlines, resources and responsibilities required of each organisation, to allow them to track their own progress and accountability.
For 2025, we have begun developing the next phase of the action plan, which includes the latest signatories. It builds upon what we set out in 2022, while focusing on key areas for development in equity, diversity and inclusion in the wider built environment.
Example actions include:
Data collection
At the end of 2022, organisations agreed on a set of consistent core questions and data points to collect across the UK. We also decided on the most appropriate and consistent messaging to encourage the collective membership to share demographic data.
This information has been made publicly available to practices and members.
- Diversity data monitoring guidance - UK and the Republic of Ireland
- Diversity data monitoring guidance - International
Our next step is to set targets for collecting this data amongst our organisations to get a clear picture of EDI across the built environment, identify gaps and decide on necessary actions.
Improving understanding of the transition from education into employment
To get a better picture of the challenges of recruiting and retaining a diverse graduate workforce, groups of recently qualified students will regularly meet to share their experiences with 50 employers who run graduate programmes.
The outcome of these meetings will also help to improve collective understanding of retention rates and address gaps in education.
EDI standards
In 2022, organisations reported on the EDI CPD training they currently offered to identify any gaps, in order to create a consistent core EDI curriculum for the collective membership by February 2024.
As of February 2025, all organisations have delivered appropriate EDI training to their staff, board and council members, and volunteers. This curriculum has also shaped training requirements for our awards selection panels.
The action plan emphasises the ongoing role of governance and leadership to ensure success. It also stresses the significance of aligning visions and strategies with EDI principles, values, beliefs, and the lived experience of the people working within the sector.
Valerie Vaughan-Dick, Chief Executive of the Royal Institute of British Architects, said:
“Re-signing this Memorandum of Understanding for a further five years marks our ongoing commitment to making the built environment sector more equitable, inclusive and diverse. I’m genuinely optimistic that we will continue to represent more people and communities across our sector, making it a more attractive and welcoming one to study, work, and engage with.
By taking this action-focused approach together, we can look forward to a future where architecture and the spaces it creates represents and celebrates everyone.”
Download the B.E. Inclusive Charter 2025 (ODT, 12KB)
Continued collaboration
In addition to the above key objectives, B.E. Inclusive has come together to organise sector-wide events, including events on addressing gender and racial equity in the built environment, an Inclusive Design Overlay conference to mark the two-year anniversary, and marching together during Pride events across the regions.
As ever, we remain committed to listening and learning so that we can move forward more effectively in our work towards greater equity, diversity, and inclusion in the built environment.
If you have any queries, feedback or ideas, please get in touch with inclusionanddiversity@riba.org.
Published: July 28 2022
Updated: 18 August 2025
