The London Practice Forum comprises 21 leading architectural practices. Together we have immense influence over the choice of other consultants with which we work. We are often asked to recommend, or sub-contract, services from other disciplines.
This privileged position enables us to take steps to address the lack of diversity in the wider industry. It makes sense to use our influence to improve access to larger projects for minority-led practices who might otherwise not have these opportunities.
On this basis we are keen to hear from related disciplines—particularly, but not exclusively, structural, services engineers and landscape designers—from BAME and female-led firms who are interested in joining an informal framework to which LPF members could refer when asked for recommendations.
Please email hello@practiceforum.london with details of your company, or to make recommendations (or use the comment facility below). Obviously we can’t guarantee that work will come your way, but all LPF member practices are committed to improving representation within the built environment and we think this could make a tangible difference.
We are also acutely aware that the LPF is itself not as diverse as we would like it to be. We are taking steps to address this. We see no reason, however, why both initiatives can’t take place in parallel.
What a great initiative. We’re a long established architectural practice, and we are very diverse – more than 50% female with a 50/50 gender split at board level. Currently approx 60% of our team are not white (not sure what the appropriate way of putting this is!) We would very much like to be involved.