Latest news with #DiversityChampion
Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Times
Fire chiefs ‘squander' £500,000 on ‘virtue signalling'
Fire chiefs have been accused of 'squandering' public money on 'virtue-signalling exercises' after it emerged that Scottish Fire and Rescue has spent almost £500,000 on salaries for diversity and inclusion roles in the past three years. This outlay comes despite significant operational challenges for the service, including the potential closure of fire stations and crumbling infrastructure. The figures were obtained through a freedom of information request by the Scottish Conservatives. • 'Unsafe' concrete found in fire and police stations across Scotland The audit shows that £458,121 was allocated to salaries for diversity-related roles since 2023. Further expenditures included £8,937 for membership of the Diversity Champion scheme with the charity Stonewall and £6,000 for a celebratory event for Scottish women in the fire service, for a total of £484,888 since 2023. The Scottish fire service has had its annual budget cut by £57 million in real terms over the past decade, and further demands for cost reductions have led to proposals to close up to 13 fire stations across the country. Additionally, a number of fire stations are in disrepair, with almost half of the service's 356 stations categorised as being in 'poor' or 'bad' condition. A recent report revealed that 18 Scottish fire stations do not have running water, forcing firefighters to rely on wet wipes for personal hygiene and to clean equipment. The fleet of fire engines is also deteriorating, with almost three quarters of the vehicles being more than a decade old. Sharon Dowey, the Scottish Conservative MSP and shadow community safety minister, condemned the spending, telling The Mail on Sunday that the service 'can ill-afford to be shelling out on woke DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] jobs and virtue-signalling exercises'. She urged SNP ministers to 'ensure that crucial resources are being used appropriately rather than being squandered in this vein'. Jon Henderson, the director of prevention at the Scottish fire service, defended the spending, stating that 'commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our working culture'. He explained that diversity-related spending and capital budgets for infrastructure were funded through different sources and could not be directly compared. Henderson acknowledged the 'insurmountable capital backlog of more than £800 million' needed for repairs but maintained that the service is committed to advancing both its diversity goals and its operational needs simultaneously, saying it was 'not about prioritising one area over the other'.
Business Wire
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Erica White, SVP of Technology & Strategic Initiatives at Article Student Living, Recognized By GlobeSt. as a 2025 Woman of Influence
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The editors of GlobeSt. have selected Erica White, Senior Vice President of Technology & Strategic Initiatives at Article Student Living, as a 2025 Woman of Influence within the Diversity Champion category. The award recognizes professionals in the real estate industry who empower women in the field. Honorees include those who push diversity initiatives forward, introduce policies on an organizational or cultural level, or serve as leaders for internal diversity & inclusion programs. Erica White is a distinguished expert in real estate technology innovation. Recognized as a 2022 GlobeSt. Tech Influencer, she has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the integration of technology, operations, and asset performance within student housing. Leading a team focused on internal reporting, IT, software, and property technologies, she is dedicated to optimizing operations, increasing NOI, and improving the resident experience. A recognized PropTech thought leader, Erica serves on industry boards like NMHC's Innovation and Emerging Tech Committee, Student Housing Insight: ShopTalk and NAA's Cultivate Advisory Board, advising on technology's role in operations, company culture, and business performance. In her role at Article, White works to elevate the next generation of women leaders through conference scholarships and mentoring opportunities, ensuring that rising stars have access to critical industry conversations and opportunities. Matt Maxa, Chief Operating Officer of Article Student Living had this to say about White: 'Erica is a true powerhouse - not only for Article, but across the industry. Her passion for championing women in the workplace is unmatched and she continues to be a catalyst for positive change. All of us at Article are beyond proud to call Erica one of our own, and I can't think of anyone more deserving of this recognition!' White's commitment to cultural change in commercial real estate is clear—her efforts have resulted in real, measurable progress toward a more equitable industry. By pushing diversity initiatives forward and providing a platform for women's voices, she is not just an advocate, but an architect of change. 'This award is a reflection of the values I hold closest. As a woman in tech and as a mother to bi-racial children, I've seen how important it is to create spaces where people feel seen, valued, and safe to show up as their full selves. That's not just good business: It's the foundation of leadership. ' I think about the people who made space for me, who opened doors, who invited me to sit at the table before I fully believed I belonged there, and I think about the responsibility we have to do the same for others,' says White. White is also a co-founder of the W. Collective – an influential networking and leadership forum designed to foster meaningful connections and create tangible change. The W. Collective is backed by executive advisors and board members representing the top 25 owner-operators in student housing. The initiative made waves at the Interface Student Housing Conference, where White and her colleagues called on the industry to rethink workplace policies that genuinely support all types of families. The response was swift—within weeks, companies across the sector began updating their policies to offer up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave, expanded bereavement support, and fertility care benefits, signaling a meaningful shift toward more inclusive and compassionate workplaces. White and the W. Collective continue to be champions for equity and inclusion through participation in industry conferences like NMHC's Student Housing Conference, where they hosted the Balancing Act: Addressing Childcare Challenges for Working Parents session as well as how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is shaping Business Performance. They have also increased visibility for women in capital markets and construction, areas where female representation remains disproportionately low. About Article Student Living Article Student Living is a Chicago-based, vertically integrated real estate investment company specializing in acquiring, developing and operating Class A, purpose-built student housing assets across top-tier university markets in the U.S. Article has experience in over 70 university markets and continues to sustainably grow its portfolio of assets – prioritizing university market selection, value creation and asset composition. Article currently manages 47 assets comprising over 22,000 beds valued at over three billion dollars. The firm is wholly owned by QuadReal, one of the top 20 largest real estate investors globally.
