The Champions of Change Coalition Annual Impact Report has revealed Australia’s property CEOs have made significant progress in advancing gender equality and implementing measures to address sexual harassment in the traditionally male-dominated industry.
Comprising 23 leaders in the property sector, the Champions of Change Property Group will release the results of its 2023 Impact Report — which measures how organisations are progressing in advancing gender equality and combating sexual and domestic violence.
According to the report, women make up 48.5 per cent of employees of the member companies that make up the Champions of Change Property, representing gender equality.
The report shows Champions of Change Property Group Members improved gender representation on their Boards, with 41.1 per cent of Board positions in the companies being held by women, up from 37.7 per cent the year prior and crossing the 40 per cent threshold for the first time.
The property leaders also made progress in having more women CEOs, with almost 30 per cent of Head of Business roles held by women, up from 24.6 per cent in 2022.
Key management roles held by women amongst the companies was 36.3 per cent, up from 29.1 per cent in 2021, but below last year’s 37.1 per cent.
The report found 85 per cent of the companies have gender targets included in their succession lists for CEO and C-suite roles, up 11 per cent on the year prior.
More than 90 per cent of members have also taken action to enable flexible work from frontline and operations workers, up 17 per cent.
Notably, the number of companies with strategies and policies to improve men’s uptake of parental leave leapt almost 40 per cent to 90.5 per cent.
All members reviewed reporting mechanisms in their companies to ensure multiple, confidential avenues for employees impacted by sexual harassment, up from 90.5 per cent the year prior.
Champions of Change Property Convenor and CBRE CEO Phil Rowland said the group is dedicated to fostering safe and welcoming work environments for women.
“The report reveals every company in the group has articulated its commitment to eradicating sexual harassment and creating a zero-harm environment.
“It provides data driven insights into the progress we’ve made as an industry, allowing us to analyse where we’ve succeeded and importantly the areas where we need to sustain our focus for continued improvement,” said Rowland.
As part of the campaign to end gender-based violence, the Champions of Change Property Members will light up buildings in orange throughout the country on December 8 and 9 to bring attention to the issue.
Champions of Change Property Group was established in 2015 and its 23 Members lead a combined 26,000 employees across the country.
Throughout this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign which starts next week, the Champions of Change Property Group will also be promoting awareness of all types of workplace gender-based violence, both inside their individual organisations and as a Coalition.
