Overview
An environment which is open and inclusive, nurturing new ideas and personal growth
We would not be able to achieve what we do without the passion, commitment and enthusiasm of our team. Over 180 talented individuals fill our studios, connected at both regional and national level, bringing diversity of thought to every aspect of our business.
We work as one team across our studios, collaborating and sharing new ideas and best practice through open and honest communication, creating strong relationships and great friendships along the way. Our Board Directors are visible and approachable and never afraid to listen or be challenged; actively seeking feedback through staff surveys and reviews to continuously evolve.
Our nurturing culture encourages thoughtfulness and creativity, and we surround everyone with the right mix of resources and a working environment to energise and inspire; supporting everyone to grow and flourish. Our debates, design reviews, tea-breaks, bake-offs, children’s parties, study trips and extensive social calendar reflect our personality traits.
Community involvement, a sustainable and ethical attitude and our work with local charities is firmly embedded in our approach, as is a commitment to understanding the Social Value of our activities. We make a conscious effort to make sure our impact contributes positively to the wellbeing of individuals and our environment as a whole.
We enjoy what we do and there is an energy that permeates across our Studios. To endorse this, we’re proud to have received a number of accolades and been voted by our staff each year as a Good Employer; most recently being awarded a place in the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Companies to Work For 2019.
Our Brand Values
Defining what we stand for is our foundation
Creativity
We are creative people who always look to deliver innovative, high quality solutions in response to our clients’ briefs.
Commitment
We are adaptable and committed to going the extra mile for our clients, encouraging and supporting one another when needed.
Transparency
We are thoughtful and open, listening and sharing with our clients to gain a deep understanding of their needs.
Expertise
We are knowledgeable experts who place a great deal of emphasis on learning through research and development.
Communicating, Sharing and Socialising
A full social calendar is a chance to further connect and involve families too
We have a number of communities and forums where we share business planning, project knowledge, secret staff skills, seek feedback and test out new ideas. Our fast and dynamic Shout-abouts, Toolbox Talks, Lunch & Learn sessions and Third Thursdays are hubs for strengthening connections between studios and sharing ideas. Our regular design forums and debates facilitated by our Studio Design Champions and open to all, ensure we tap into the exceptional talent we have across our studios and continue to challenge ourselves to deliver the very best we can. We have a social committee and a range of events to suit everyone from Angling to Zorbing.
Getting the balance right
Fostering a culture of inclusivity and richness
Equality of opportunity for everyone
We are proud to have been part of the Architectural Trailblazer Group and our apprenticeship scheme now offers a more diverse route to qualifying. Through our connection with various educators, we inspire and prepare young people for the rapidly changing world of work. We regularly participate in local Careers Fairs across all of our regions where our employees give pupils insight into their own career journeys. We work closely with our professional institutes and our female leaders take part in mentoring events to encourage inclusion and retention of more women in architecture.
Diversity and inclusion
Inclusivity is vital to us, enabling everyone to feel safe, empowered, respected and understood, which in turn leads to the unlocking of wonderful ideas and innovation. We want our approach to respond to the diversity of our clients and the communities in which we work, and we encourage everyone to have a voice and share their views, give feedback and feel valued for their contribution. Our team includes over 15 nationalities with multi-cultural influences and different languages spoken. Our gender split is 46/54 female:male, 25% of our operational board is female and 4 out of our 5 studios are led by women.
Wellbeing
Lifestyles are complex and we recognise the importance of providing a supportive environment for every individual. Through our Well-Beings Programme we offer training and awareness workshops for physical and mental wellbeing, a tailored healthcare cash plan, complementary therapies, mindfulness sessions, desk yoga, nutritional advice and face to face confidential counselling support. Each year this is supported by a week long wellbeing campaign to encourage and help employees to self manage and highlight all the tools and resources available for support. We have also appointed a qualified Mental Health First Aider.
Agile Working
We all have many competing responsibilities; care obligations, studying, hobbies, religious observances, travelling so we introduced our Agile working scheme. This flexible approach supports job sharing, part time, term time and staggered hours, home working, back to work schemes for parents, keeping in touch days, career breaks, sabbaticals and condensed hours. The introduction of our 9 day fortnight has been popular. Costly and wasteful travelling time can be reduced; childcare responsibilities can be shared; hobbies brought back to life and a greater sense of wellbeing achieved. We recognise no one size fits all. Providing a great studio environment is only part of the equation and flexible ways of working gives us more richness, diversity and choice for how we can work most effectively.
Lifestyle package
Providing that little bit extra
In addition to a competitive salary, we provide a comprehensive Lifestyle Package to everyone. This is reviewed and updated each year and currently includes SMART contributory pension, Childcare vouchers, Paid subscriptions, Bike to work scheme, Season ticket travel loans, Additional maternity and parental leave, Finders fees, Rewards and discount shopping vouchers, Free fruit and refreshments, An annual training allowance, Children and Christmas parties, House swap, 9 day fortnights and flexible working. We also provide a health cash plan with over £1,000 to spend on optical and dental treatments, wellbeing and complementary therapies, chiropody, health screening, 24 hour confidential advice line and 6 face to face counselling sessions each year.