Montagu Evans has appointed Bhavini Shah as the company’s new head of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I).
Shah, who is a partner at Montagu Evans, has more than a decade’s experience at the firm as a healthcare property specialist in its advisory team. She has previously been the partner sponsor for Open Circle – Montagu Evans’ internal network for ethnically diverse employees – and has served as a DE&I committee member for the last four years.
In her new role, Shah will develop a DE&I strategy that will engage and integrate with the firm’s objectives, using data and insight gathered through engagement with team members, clients and industry stakeholders.
She will report to Vicky Thompson, director of HR and member of Montagu Evans’ executive committee, and work alongside head of sustainability Oli Pye, as well as the firm’s managing partner and other industry groups, such as PREACH Inclusion and Real Estate Balance.
Alan Harris, head of advisory and incoming managing partner, at Montagu Evans said: “With a clear understanding of our partnership based on 10+ years’ progression and experience, Bhav has advocated a bold and systematic approach to furthering our DE&I strategy. She will provide clear direction, inspire the business and ensure our Partnership makes progress in this important area. Many at Monties know her to be an authentic and passionate leader and she has everyone’s full support in this new role.”
Shah added: “A number of years of leaning into the DE&I space in conjunction with my role as a surveyor, made me realise there was a passion for inclusion that could become a larger part of my working life. With a strong commercial understanding, my vision is to create an authentically inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone can bring their best selves to work. I will use my lived intersectional experience, combined with internal and external stakeholder engagement, to support these goals as part of this new opportunity for change.”
