TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT Championing Diversity SPOTLIGHT ON
GARETH LONGLEY Chair of IHEEM’s Equality, Diversion & Inclusion Committee
G
areth Longley has almost two decades of experience working with and alongside healthcare estates and facilities management teams. Initially working to recruit to senior positions within
the sector – where he first recognised the need for greater diversity and visibility of minorities at the senior level, he has more recently supported public sector organisations in delivering surveying and property insight solutions, using data and empirical evidence to drive a deeper understanding of the estate, and how to maintain and improve this within the healthcare environment. Throughout this time, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I),
leveraging his professional expertise and community involvement to affect meaningful change. He has been actively involved in IHEEM’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Group for the past four years, and was recently voted in as committee Chair. He hopes that the Group’s insights will help shape policies that promote a diverse workforce at all levels, and ensure that healthcare engineering and estate management are accessible to all, regardless of background. Gareth’s involvement underscores his belief that diversity strengthens teams and organisations, driving innovation, positive change, and continuous improvement, particularly in sectors that serve diverse populations. Alongside his advisory role with IHEEM, he has had key roles promoting ED&I 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. Under his leadership, the club grew significantly, expanding its membership by 50% over four years. He recognised that fostering an inclusive environment was crucial to the club’s ongoing and future success, and he led initiatives to ensure that the club not only welcomed diverse members, but also actively engaged in community outreach to raise awareness about
Gareth has played a pivotal role in delivering seminars and presentations focused on equality, diversity, and inclusion to national sporting bodies, charities, and commercial organisations, and, of course, IHEEM members
inclusion in sports. His work has included implementing programmes that educated the broader community about inclusivity, creating a supportive atmosphere for all participants, regardless of their background. Gareth has also played a pivotal role in delivering seminars and presentations focused on equality, diversity, and inclusion to national sporting bodies, charities, and commercial organisations, and, of course, IHEEM members. By sharing his experiences and insights, he hopes he has inspired others to prioritise these values within their own organisations and communities. These engagements often involved discussions around the importance of representation, allyship, and creating spaces where everyone feels welcomed, included, and valued. Throughout his career, Gareth has emphasised the importance of understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by underrepresented groups in various sectors. His approach combines strategic thinking with a deep personal commitment to equity, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued. By cultivating an inclusive environment in both his professional and community roles, Gareth has worked hard to communicate the importance of ED&I initiatives, demonstrating how these values can transform organisations and communities for the better. He is a strong believer in the adage ‘you have to see it to be it’. Representation matters, and his belief is that visible, diverse role models who reflect one’s own identity are key to driving individuals to pursue similar paths, inspiring future leaders to see themselves in positions of influence. Gareth is keen to engage with IHEEM members and the wider community on how best to manage these challenges, and would welcome your own thoughts, feedback, and ideas, on how we can drive inclusion and diversity within the healthcare estate.
16 Health Estate Journal November 2024
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