A solicitor who helped to start up a network for LGBTQ+ people in the real estate sector has been awarded an MBE for services to inclusion.
Saleem Fazal, a disputes partner with international firm Taylor Wessing, is named in the King’s New Year Honours List. Fazal has been a solicitor for 26 years and is the head of Taylor Wessing’s Liverpool office.
Fazal was recognised for his role as co-founder of Freehold, a support and networking forum for LGBTQ+ professionals working within the sector. Since it was founded in 2011 its membership has grown to more than 1,000. Fazal served as co-chair for the whole time until stepping down earlier this year.
As well as advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusivity, the scheme has taken more than 50 professionals through its official mentorship programme, facilitated hundreds of informal mentorship chats, held many networking events, and partnered with numerous LGBTQ+ charities and non-profits on important causes.
Fazal said it was an ‘incredible privilege’ to be included in the honours list and thanked those around him who had helped make the network such a success.
‘The recognition belongs to the whole Freehold team, all our corporate sponsors, the property press and all our members who have bought into our vision of a property sector in which LGBTQ+ professionals feel fully welcome and represented,’ he said. ‘We would not have made so many advancements without the hard work, dedication, and support of many people over the years.’
Freehold has been supported throughout by Taylor Wessing and building and property consultancy Tuffin Ferraby Taylor LLP (TFT). Co-chair David Mann, of TFT, has also received an MBE in the honours list.
Scott Parsons, who took over as co-chair this year, said: ‘What was once a lonely sector for many LGBTQ+ people has become a lot more accepting and inclusive over the past few years. That’s in no small part thanks to the efforts and vision of people like Saleem and David.’
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