Scott Brownrigg has been shortlisted for the AJ100 Employer of the Year Award. These prestigious industry awards recognise the most successful architectural practices within the UK.

The Employer of the Year Award identifies the best practice for employees, judged on HR issues including staff satisfaction, workplace culture, benefits and staff turnover.

The shortlisting reflects our practice-wide purpose to ‘enrich lives through the built environment’. This would not be possible without enriching the lives of our employees firstly.

The 2019 Employer of the Year shortlist reflects our development in this regard, of which we are very proud. The staff themselves have identified the personality traits that make up Scott Brownrigg as friendly, pragmatic, inquisitive and determined and there is a combined effort to demonstrate our personality in all that we do, no more so than in our staff wellbeing.

We want our staff to balance their aspirations with the ability to work in a way that they wish. This can be through flexible working hours or remotely; providing a flexible academic path through the new Architecture Apprenticeship scheme; giving opportunities to work in global studios; providing structured training and mentoring programmes and providing financial sponsorship.

With four generations of employees, our benefits must meet various needs. Our Enjoy Benefits portal offers shopping and cinema discounts to healthcare and pensions.

Collaboration, inclusion and diversity bind us together. With employees from 33 different countries, we know that diverse perspectives add value. Regular Diversity and Cultural Awareness workshops help celebrate this. Mental health issues are a concern across the whole profession. Through our Mental Health Awareness workshops and a confidential Employee Assistance Programme we create an environment where staff can share their concerns. Monthly events in each studio take place: from Life Drawing and Pilates sessions, to healthy breakfasts and sporting events.

Our outreach programmes are helping us attract future talent, and furthering our relationship with a wider community. Working with schools, universities and the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust we provide countless work experience programmes and career workshops (over 40 students attended in the last year) and bursary sponsorships. Local MP, Anne Milton, Minister of State for Skills and Apprenticeships, joined one of our schools workshops last year. Our student Instagram photography competition open to students across the UK provides a fun way to engage with the next generation.

The winners will be announced at the AJ100 gala dinner at the Tower of London on 19th June 2019.