If Not You, Then Who? Why Inclusive Leadership Is Critical for the Future of Construction

“What’s the point of inclusion if we’re not prepared to lead it ourselves?”

That was the challenge at the Construction Inclusion Coalition’s second annual If not you, then who? If not now, then when? conference in Birmingham, a day focused on action, connection and honest conversations about diversity in the built environment.

I was honoured to join more than 80 passionate advocates for inclusion and speak on behalf of Men for Inclusion – Driving lasting cultural transformation, sharing reflections on how expanding inclusion isn’t just good for people – it’s a strategic advantage for business and culture in our sector.

In my session, I spoke about how transformative shifts over the past decades from women’s participation in the workforce to evolving roles for men in parenting and caregiving, didn’t happen by accident. They happened because people stepped forward, challenged the status quo and acted with urgency. That same mindset is what inclusion needs today.

A huge thank you to the Construction Inclusion Coalition organisers and all delegates for an inspiring, energising day. The conversations we had, and the practical examples shared by organisations like Barratt Redrow and Taylor Wimpey plc, were genuine reminders that inclusion starts with each of us in our teams, in our networks, in our decisions and in our leadership.

Here’s to continuing the work of making construction a place where everyone can belong and thrive, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s essential for the future of our industry.