Embracing Diversity: Our Commitment to the Diversity Agenda

At Chaney & Norman Architects, we believe that diversity is not just a buzzword but a crucial aspect of building a better future for the architectural and engineering professions. That’s why we’re proud members of the Diversity Agenda, a movement dedicated to fostering inclusivity and diversity in our industry.

Traditionally, the architectural field has been male-dominated, leading to a lack of representation for women and other underrepresented groups. This imbalance is something we are actively working to change.

Embracing Diversity At All Levels

From the outset, we made a deliberate effort to ensure equal gender representation at the director level and all our current staff are female, creating a 5-1 female-to-male ratio across our whole team.

We understand that taking time off for family responsibilities, such as having children, has historically been a significant barrier to career progression for women in our industry. We’ve worked hard to ensure that this isn’t the case. We’re committed to supporting our team members through various life stages.

Three of our female team have recently returned to work following parental leave, and we’ve implemented flexible working practices to accommodate their needs. By allowing for a positive balance between work and home life, we’re breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for career growth and progression.

Accountability With The Diversity Gender Accord

As signatories of the Diversity Agenda Accord, we recognise the importance of accountability in driving meaningful change. The Accord serves as a vital tool in promoting diversity and inclusion by holding business owners and CEOs responsible for achieving truly diverse industries.

Part of our commitment to the Diversity Agenda involves tracking our progress against key targets and openly sharing our data. We’re proud to report that our gender pay equity gap is at 0%, reflecting our dedication to fairness and equality in the workplace.

Embracing A More Equitable & Representative Future For Our Industry

In addition, we actively participate in industry-wide initiatives and events organised by the Diversity Agenda, such as workshops and seminars. These opportunities allow us to learn from others, share best practices, and contribute to the collective effort to create a more inclusive profession.

For us diversity is not just a goal but a fundamental value that drives our practice forward. By championing inclusivity and embracing the Diversity Agenda, we’re paving the way for a more equitable and representative future in the architectural and engineering professions.

Explore Director Beth’s interview with the Diversity Agenda here.