We look out for each other. We are dedicated to fostering an environment where individuals can achieve success, and feel empowered to shape their careers in new and meaningful ways. We simply believe in doing the best we can to enable everyone to thrive personally as well as professionally.
At RLB Africa, one of the ways we nurture future professionals is through our annual bursary programme, which is open to BSc (Hons) quantity surveying students from all South African universities.
These bursaries cover tuition fees and textbooks, with the funds paid directly to the university. While all applications are considered, we prioritise top-performing students and aim to address gender disparities in the profession.
Beyond financial support, bursary recipients gain practical work experience at RLB offices throughout the year or during holidays, depending on university requirements. We offer employment opportunities to top-performing graduates as positions become available across our branches.
Luvuyo Hlophe, one of the current bursary recipients, says: “The support I have received has enabled me to focus on my studies while gaining practical, real-world experience. I truly appreciate RLB’s ongoing encouragement, which has been instrumental in helping me reach my full potential and work towards my long-term goal of becoming a professional quantity surveyor.”
Charity Maithufi, also on the programme, adds: “Since joining RLB as a student, I’ve been able to grow and develop professionally in a supportive environment. The focus on long-term success, collaboration and integrity has helped me gain valuable experience while progressing both in my role as a candidate quantity surveyor and as an individual.”
Our senior leadership team at RLB North Asia were much in demand as public speakers at various leading industry events and conferences in the region in 2024.
Chairman Eric Fong, Managing Director Ling Lam, and Directors Katherine Shum and Kevin Wong, shared their insights on topics including embodied carbon calculation, integrating ESG principles into the real estate sector, using AI to enhance productivity in construction, and the empowerment of women in the industry.
The events they spoke at included the HKIS Annual Conference, RICS Hong Kong Construction Conference, Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors Congress, and HK Construction Industry Council Digital Twin Leaders Summit.
Through speaking engagements, our industry leaders not only showcase their expertise but also make a significant contribution to dialogue within construction about sustainability, digitalisation and the future direction of the industry.
A newly launched wellbeing strategy covering our UK and European offices is designed to improve the way we look after our people.
The strategy will help us to optimise the wellbeing of colleagues because it is holistic – encompassing the seven key dimensions of employee wellbeing: Emotional, Environmental, Financial, Mental, Physical, Professional and Social.
Its ongoing development will also be shaped by our colleagues. Through surveys and focus groups, we will listen to their feedback on how we can improve wellbeing for everybody at RLB and prioritise investment in the areas where they tell us it is needed most.
“We are committed to investing in employee wellbeing, first and foremost, because it’s the right thing to do,” says Sarah Draper, People and Culture Director. “Promoting employee wellbeing will set up the business to succeed, too. When people feel happy, engaged and purposeful at work, they typically perform better. It will also distinguish us as an employer of choice that attracts and retains the best people in the industry.”
In the UK, we have established community groups – made up of employees from across the business – to help us support employees and monitor the health and happiness of our workforce. One of these communities, RLB Well, is recruiting more wellbeing champions to lead initiatives, raise awareness of wellbeing issues, and signpost colleagues to the benefits, services and guidance available.
Sarah adds: “Our new global values, by ensuring the consistency of our culture, will help us to fulfil our aim of providing everyone with the information, skills and resources they need to maintain health and wellness.”
RLB colleagues and fellow professionals from across the construction sector participated in a football tournament at Dubai Sports City aimed at promoting networking and wellbeing.
This was the latest event in an initiative devised and organised by RLB with the original intention of strengthening cross-industry connections.
The regular get-togethers, which also include padel and badminton matches, are now increasingly being seen as making a valuable contribution to wellbeing initiatives for participating companies and their employees.
Farida Gilmore, Communications Manager RLB Middle East, says: “It’s becoming increasingly clear that these events not only address a need to network with our industry peers in energising, enjoyable settings, but they are also providing our teams with an opportunity to step away from their desks and boost their physical and mental health through exercise and connection.”
Colleagues from UAE joined 278,000 other people in the Dubai Run, the world’s largest fun run. The event transformed Sheikh Zayed Road and Downtown Dubai into a sea of green, the colour worn by most of the runners who were from all backgrounds and of all ages and abilities.
Stephen Mee, Managing Director, RLB New South Wales, has been honoured for his “outstanding influence and unwavering dedication” to quantity surveying and to Australia’s property industry.
He was presented with the Legacy Leadership Award by the Property Council of Australia (PCA) in recognition of the significant contribution he has made to prosperity, jobs and strong communities during a career spanning four decades.
Stephen, who has served as RLB’s Global Chair, helps to foster talent and inclusion in the industry as a judge for the PCA’s Innovation and Excellence Awards in the Future Leader and Diversity and Inclusion categories.
