It has been one year since the launch of our diverse recruitment programme #BeMoreInclusive, in partnership with urban. The initiative helps young people from under-represented backgrounds get into architecture and supports employers in the built environment industry to access a more diverse talent pool.

We have seen great success over the last year against the challenges of Covid – placing eight students and surpassing the 12 month target of raising £20,000 in just 10 months. In May the scheme received recognition at the Third Sector Business Charity Awards as the winner of best charity partnership in the professional services category.

Multi-disciplinary architecture practice HTA Design LLP has played a key role in these achievements, having appointed five candidates. Their HR Manager and Senior Associate, Stephanie Warner shares her thoughts on the programme and reveals why HTA will continue to work with urban and Blueprint for All.

“Sadly, we still live in a society where people from non-traditional backgrounds are often marginalised and continue to be under-represented both at work and more widely within their chosen profession, including those within the built environment sector.

As a member of the Black community and a HR professional working on behalf of an employer that’s committed to creating a rich and diverse workplace where our people can be themselves and thrive; I can’t express fully in words how valuable the #BeMoreInclusive programme is. Since forming a partnership with The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust (now Blueprint for All) almost six years ago, we’ve had the pleasure and privilege of being introduced to some incredibly talented young people we might not otherwise have had the opportunity to meet and work with.

For a recruiter to recognise the need for positive action and want to do all they can to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to secure good quality employment opportunities on a pro bono basis is unheard of. The collaboration between Blueprint for All and urban has been seriously refreshing and inspiring. It’s also highly gratifying to support Blueprint for All with donations made as a result of successful work placements.

The need to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces has been recognised but not always acted on by employers, for too long. You can do what you can to review your recruitment practices in order to eliminate bias and discrimination, but the #BeMoreInclusive programme provides an accessible way for employers to take that conscious step towards creating positive change, which will undoubtedly result in richer, happier, diverse and more inclusive workplaces in the future.

Thank you Mark Nagle, Sonia Watson, and your amazing teams for all you do – you’re incredible!”

We are excited to work with more architecture practices in the future on our #BeMoreInclusive programme. You can find out more here.