Elaine Cleland-Awity manages Future of London’s Emerging Talent Programme (ETP). ETP launched in 2022 and was developed to address the lack of ethnic diversity in the built environment sector. 

Before joining Future of London, Elaine worked at LB Brent and led a number of high-profile projects across Housing, HR, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. This included a 10-year action plan aimed at addressing inequalities faced by Black communities. The programme won the Local Government Chronicle’s 2022 Diversity and Inclusion Award.

Her most recent role included managing Brent Council’s in-house recruitment service and its participation in a nationally recognised graduate programme, with the aim of recruiting more diverse and local graduates. Elaine was responsible for recruiting and retaining graduates and developing their learning and development offer, as well as providing them with pastoral support.

Elaine is motivated by the impact the built environment can have on people’s lives and ensuring that built environment professionals reflect the communities we serve.