Ian Brant FCIOB reflects on the importance of having a more inclusive and representative industry to meet construction’s challenges.
The Construction Industry Council was given a reason to celebrate the start of 2025 as our chair Dr Wei Yang was honoured with an OBE in the King’s New Year Honours List.
Wei is an internationally renowned town planner and urban designer, who has shown tireless dedication to advancing the built environment and championing a more sustainable and inclusive future.
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This accolade is not just a personal triumph for Wei, but we also hope represents a broader shift in the industry. The recognition of a female leader of Wei’s calibre signals a long-overdue acknowledgement of the diverse talent that exists within our sector.
Historically, construction and the built environment have been perceived as male-dominated fields, with significant barriers to entry for women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. Wei’s success and recognition challenge this narrative and demonstrate the value of diverse perspectives in driving meaningful change.
We were also delighted to see Amos Simbo recognised with an OBE for his services to construction and diversity. Amos is the founder of the Black Professionals in Construction Network (BPIC). BPIC, which is an inclusion hub that aims to create a diverse built environment and enhance industry representation, is also a CIC member.
Amos has been involved with CIC as a 2050 Group member and more recently BPIC became one of the founders of Diversitas, an organisation set up by CIC to increase the representation of Black professionals in the built environment.
A more inclusive industry
The need to harness genuine talent has arguably never been as important as it is right now. Moving into 2025, we need to position ourselves to meet the government’s ambitious housing and infrastructure targets while addressing major challenges on skills, quality and enacting the cultural shift on building safety so eloquently explained by Dame Judith Hackitt.
With climate change here to stay and new strategy announcements on housing and infrastructure due within weeks, this is going to be a critical year to determine whether the construction industry can rise as a collective and move forward with the times.
As we celebrate Wei and Amos’s OBEs, let us also celebrate what they represent: a brighter, more inclusive future for the construction industry. These recognitions are a testament to what is possible when leadership reflects the diversity of the world it serves.
It’s an achievement that should inspire us all to work toward a sector where everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity or background, has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to building a better future as well as encouraging the next generation of talent to enter our industry.
Ian Brant FCIOB is a director at Brant Construction Quantum Experts and deputy chair of the CIC.
