TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT Championing diversity
understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by underrepresented groups in numerous sectors. Alongside his advisory role with IHEEM, he has had key roles promoting EDI in his position as a former Chairman, and current Treasurer, of Manchester Village Spartans RUFC, a rugby club dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Gareth’s proactive approach to nurturing
positive EDI engagement across the sector underscores his belief that diversity strengthens teams and organisations, driving innovation, positive change, and continuous improvement, particularly in sectors that serve diverse populations. He hopes that the group’s insights will help shape policies that promote a diverse workforce at all levels, ensuring that careers in healthcare engineering and estate management are accessible to all, regardless of background.
• Dr. Karen Banahene Blay Director of Equity, Diversity, and
Inclusion, and Senior Lecturer, School of Architecture, Building, and Civil Engineering, Loughborough University
Dr Karen Blay is an accomplished academic and industry leader specialising in Digital Construction and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. She currently serves as the Director of EDI and a Senior Lecturer at Loughborough University’s School of Architecture, Building, and Civil Engineering. A Chartered Construction Manager and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Dr Blay has driven transformative research in Digital Information Resilience and Inclusion within the built environment. Her expertise has shaped high-impact projects, including leading digital and data strategies for NHS initiatives, and
Karen’s expertise has shaped high-impact projects, including leading digital and data strategies for NHS initiatives, and collaborating on resilience- focused digital solutions for vulnerable communities
Louise is keen to support IHEEM members who may need advice, guidance, and support around any issue which may be preventing them from being themselves, helping them to achieve their professional aspirations, and acting as an advisor or mentor if required
collaborating on resilience-focused digital solutions for vulnerable communities. She has also been instrumental in creating tools like the Building Information Modelling Dictionary for West Africa. Her innovative work spans Artificial Intelligence applications, data integrity frameworks, and inclusion strategies, influencing both government policies and industrial practices. She is actively involved with CIOB’s
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Panel, providing guidance on international EDI initiatives. She also contributes to various professional bodies, including the NHS Digital Estate Group and the IHEEM D&I Working Group.
• Louise Clark Technical Director, GPT Consult
Louise Clark joined the IHEEM D&I group in early 2024, and has a keen interest in helping and supporting others. Louise is a trans woman, and transitioned in 2018 after a lifetime of hiding her true self. She is currently Technical Director at GPT Consult, a role she took up in 2024 after a long career working for numerous NHS Trusts. She is often described by
Louise Clark,
Technical Director, GPT Consult
colleagues as the most knowledgeable person in healthcare engineering across the spectrum of disciplines. Louise is keen to support IHEEM members who may need advice, guidance, and support, around any issue which may be preventing them from being themselves, helping them to achieve their professional aspirations, and acting as an advisor or mentor if required.
• Claire Hennessy Director of Estates and Facilities,
Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Claire Hennessy has been an active member of the IHEEM D&I Working Group since its inception, playing a vital role in shaping its direction and initiatives. Passionate about fostering an inclusive and diverse professional environment, Claire has worked to promote EDI principles within healthcare engineering and estate management. Through collaboration with industry leaders and IHEEM networks, the D&I group has contributed to embedding EDI values into policies, events, and professional development opportunities. As a
Dr. Karen Banahene Blay, Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion,
and Senior Lecturer, School of Architecture, Building, and Civil Engineering, Loughborough University
Claire is passionate about fostering an inclusive and diverse professional environment, and has worked to promote EDI principles within healthcare engineering and estate management
Claire Hennessy,
Director of Estates and Facilities, Birmingham Community
Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
April 2025 Health Estate Journal 11
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