_Paul Modu speaks on diversity, getting into property and his ambitions for change

Passionate about diversity and inclusion matters in the real estate industry, Paul speaks on his roles within REB, how he got into property and his ambitions for change.

Tell us about REB and your roles within it.

Real Estate Balance is a membership organisation that focuses on addressing diversity and inclusion within our industry. I’m fortunate enough to have been a Founding Committee Member of its NextGen Group and most recently a member of its Policy and Campaigns Committee (PCC).

The NextGen Group offers scope to represent young professionals within real estate and engage with senior leaders on key matters surrounding diversity, with the aim of driving cultural change that will deliver better inclusive environments for all.

The PCC takes a more strategic approach, with the intention to advise our corporate members on better shaping the industry.

How and why did you get involved with REB?

Along with a number of friends, I have been running a social enterprise called Capital Moments over the past few years, focusing on careers, commercial awareness and personal development for students, graduates and young professionals. REB became aware of Capital Moments when they decided to form the NextGen Group at the end of 2019.

I joined the group as I believed there was a responsibility to build a runway for young people across diverse backgrounds to enter the industry and create enabling environments for people to progress through to senior management. The NextGen group very much aligns with my ambitions and I was equally then thrilled to be given the opportunity to join the PCC to offer my perspectives, critical thinking and support in building REB’s key strategic campaigns.

Why do you think initiatives and organisations like REB are important?

REB has coverage. It has members that span across the breadth of the industry and are therefore able to sound out some of the most important issues. Collaborative change is scalable change.

It is evident that there has been – and still remains – a serious lack of diversity within our industry. Organisations such as REB, along with the support of companies like Knight Frank, are key to addressing this and driving forward real change.

What is the biggest change you wish to see in the industry?

Access and cultural change. I want people of all backgrounds to see firms such as Knight Frank as great places to work not only at the start of their journey in real estate, but where they can build successful and purposeful careers.

How did you get into the property industry?

As some may relate, a career in property was not at the top of my list when it came to life after university, although I did have a shrewd understanding of and interest in the industry.

I was given the opportunity to join Knight Frank in 2014 as an analyst and have since taken the journey (albeit a longer one!) to undertake my MSc at UCL in 2015 before qualifying in 2019.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to start a career in real estate?

Continue to build your network base and take the time to observe the world around you. Everything has some implication to real estate and the industry - we want your ideas!

Get in touch with Paul here.