Sarah Wigglesworth, Architect. “I felt that architecture had crowded out so many other things in my life and I was eager to try to explore all the things I had pushed away.”

Rachel Birchmore, AreBe and Step Up. “Changing the way we plan meetings so that people get a moment between them can give the brain time to reset. There is no reason why meetings need to be an hour.”

Chloe Phelps, founder of Grounded Architects and director of BPTW. “"It was an opportunity to still be a small, nimble, female-led practice, but with some clout behind us."

Ken Shuttleworth, founder and director of Make Architects. “I wanted people to benefit from the profitability of the company from the start.”

Carl Turner, founding director of Turner Works. “Growing the practice and bringing in more people was part of a strategy for me to be less involved in the day-to-day."

Binki Taylor, community activator and placemaker. “Belonging for me is an important topic...indeed it's been a life-long enquiry.”

Amandeep Singh Kalra, Greenflip “I was wedded to the idea of solving a problem, not fixated on a particular solution.”

Gareth Atkinson, Civic “There was a strategic approach but also some happy coincidences, based on exploring who would be a good fit and aligned with our values.”

Andy Puncher, design director "It was about identifying what I wanted to do and where I wanted to be and there was no role out there on any of the job sites for that, so I had to invent it."

Aga Szedzianis, DSDHA “Since 2016, the mid-level career or associate salaries dropped by 25%... quite a big drop!”

Miranda MacLaren, Director of Orms “When you first arrive, you just have to really listen”

Hari Phillips, co-founder of Bell Phillips Architects. "It doesn't seem like the really big names in the profession want to rock the boat and speak out about these important issues."

Nicholas Barrows, Director of Marketing, Trowers & Hamlins “" We can't afford to build a culture that upholds our values unless we are commercially successful."

Neil Pinder, educator and activist “The power of the word can shatter or enhance someone’s ability to do great things.”

Louise Rodgers, “The energy of humiliation is powerful and universal and gives rise to many painful situations in life.”

Jo Bacon, Allies and Morrison “We have been better at making time to reflect; and to listen, engage and consult with our wider team.”

Jo Wright, Perkins&Will ““I have always enjoyed developing people and for me that is the draw of a leadership role.”

Lisa Drake, Elliott Wood “We wanted to reclaim the impact that an engineer can have on the built environment, and on society.”

Tom Larsson, Founder of Grow Places "As the business grows, imparting our values and principles onto the team and selecting the right people is an interesting transition."

Louise Wyman, Executive Director Strategic Development at CBRE “The thought of networking used to fill me with dread but I've stepped out of my comfort zone throughout my career and learned from it.”