Celebrating National Inclusion Week! Meet our EDI Network representatives

What were you doing before you started at Max Fordham and how long have you been working here? 

I first came to Max Fordham in 2016 for a summer internship after my third year studying mechanical engineering at The University of Edinburgh. Then I returned the following year in 2017 for my university placement. After graduation I worked at another building services consultancy before returning again in 2021.  Cumulatively I've spent four years and two months at Max Fordham! 

Why MEP Engineering? 

I work as an MEP engineer and have always been interested in exactly how things work. Within this industry we have the opportunity to make a real impact on the world around us. I'm also passionate about the environment so taking on projects where we aim to lower the energy use of buildings not only by installing heat pumps, but by making each system as efficient as it can be is always an interesting challenge. 

I enjoy working with both new buildings and existing. In a new building we are able to make clever design decisions to optimise its function, whereas with an existing building we need to discover its secrets first before making effective improvements. It's exciting to see your design come to life during construction and after completion being able to visit so many great MF projects around the UK. 

What is your favourite building and why? 

The Glasgow School of Art was one of my favourite buildings I've visited. I really appreciated the attention to detail within each space, it showed how much care had been taken with every decision. I also like the distinct Charles Rennie Mackintosh style which was consistent throughout the building and his other projects. 

Tell us about the CIAD Network

CIAD stands for Chronic Illness And Disability. We are a group of individuals who experience a myriad of symptoms all varying from one person to the next, some are visible some are not. We host regular meetings to support each other and discuss where improvements can be made at Max Fordham to better accommodate the different challenges people have to manage. 

In our meetings we talk about any particular issues people are experiencing and offer some help, advice or resources. These conversations are conducted in a safe confidential space, sometimes sharing the problem is enough but it is also useful to identify what improvements could be made at Max Fordham to enhance people's experience at work. 

Not everyone will face the same challenges but each issue is equally important to us. 

What does a diverse and inclusive workplace mean to you? 

A workplace in which each individual feels: 

• Welcomed by the environment and their colleagues

• Their needs are accommodated for

• Represented

• Safe

• Happy 

What were you doing before you started at Max Fordham and how long have you been working here? 

I have been at Max Fordham for two years now. Previously, I started working as a research analyst for a property development company, then I worked as a pricing analyst in the travel industry prior to Covid 19. Then I worked for a fire safety systems company as a Project Coordinator before joining Max Fordham.  

Why Specialist Teams? 

I love working for the Specialist Teams (Acoustics, Sustainability & Passivhaus) as no two days are the same. There’s always something new to learn and the teams are friendly. The work is challenging but fulfilling and I feel that I can contribute to helping the departments run smoothly.   

What is your favourite build­ing and why? 

Woodlands Spa and Forum – Homini Hotel in South Africa. It’s a hotel designed to not disturb the environment and the wildlife its location. 

Tell us about the BAME Network 

The BAME Network is a great platform and safe space for people from similar backgrounds to discuss their feelings. It’s nice to be able to share experiences and have people who can relate to each other and bring suggestions on how to be more impactful and happier in the workplace. 

What does a diverse and inclusive workplace mean to you? 

A diverse workplace for me, is a workplace where although there are people from different backgrounds, it's unified and there is a sense of togetherness as a workforce. An inclusive workplace is workplace where you feel valued and respected for your work regardless of your ethnicity or background. It should be a workplace where everyone regardless of their background is given a fair chance with no preconceptions. A workplace where everyone is professional and treated equally. 

What were you doing before you started at Max Fordham and how long have you been working here? 

I've been at Max Fordham for 11 years.  Immediately before starting at Max Fordham I was doing a Masters Degree in Environmental Psychology which I started while I was a full-time rower - trying to go to the 2012 Olympics (I did not make the team but was close enough to be at the final trials).  Before that I was doing my 'Part 2' in architecture that was focused on environmental design.  I planned to be a 'normal' architect but Max Fordham advertised a job that suited my particular interests. 

Why Sustainability?  

I've always been interested in good design and I thought sustainability considerations were the most neglected element of good design in the 2000s and 2010s.  I thought sustainability would become 'a thing' and now it is something that project teams are focussed on. 

What is my favourite building and why? 

I'm not sure I have one.  My favourite Max Fordham project is probably Ravelin Sports Centre for lots of reasons.  It is performing extremely well in use.  It incorporates lots of ceiling fans in the fitness suites to maximise comfort. I wrote a paper at university on why promoting evaporation and convection is much more important to comfort when exercising than air temperature or radiant surface temperature and this is the first Max Fordham project to put that to the test in a real project.  It was also great to work with Faulknerbrowns as I worked there as a Part 1 Architectural assistant back in 2006-07 and I worked with some former colleagues. 

Tell us about the Dyslexia+ Network  

It's great that the group exists so that we can share workarounds and tools that allow us to do our best work. It's great to know who else in the practice has the same challenges.  

What do you think the greatest benefit is of a diverse and inclusive workplace? 

It's really important to have a broad range of perspectives so you can see problems from every angle.  This only works if everyone feels comfortable in voicing their views and if decision-makers are willing to listen and integrate perspectives that are very different for them.   

What were you doing before you started at Max Fordham and how long have you been working here? 

Working in a clothes shop in Dublin, Ohio applying for jobs. I've been working at Max Fordham for 14 years. 

Why MEP Engineering?  

I wanted to do something that made a difference, improving people's lives and saving the planet. At university I had been involved in Engineers Without Borders and worked on projects in Nepal, looking at cook stoves, and Bolivia, where we installed a bridge and solar shower in a remote village. I was excited about the work done by Max Fordham's developing countries group and their sustainable ethos. 

What is your favourite building and why? 

The Water Cube in Beijing - I like the amorphous shapes and energy efficient alternative to glass 

Tell us about the WAMG Network 

The Women and Minority Genders network is a place to share experiences, vent frustrations and share ideas. We support each other and try to make the office a more inclusive place for women and minority genders. We also love a celebration and this year held networking events with WAMG collaborators and supported local WAMG-owned businesses.  

What do you think the greatest benefit is of a diverse and inclusive workplace? 

It has to be the exposure to different ideas and perspectives. Being exposed to different skills and experiences makes everyone in the workplace more adaptable and studies have shown diverse teams are have better performance and are more productive. 

What were you doing before you started at Max Fordham and how long have you been working here? 

I originally studied architecture, and I worked in that field for a few years after graduating. I joined Max Fordham 12 years ago initially as a Project Administrator, and later became a Project Coordinator. 

Why project coordination? 

My favourite thing about working as a Project Coordinator is the variety – I liaise with lots of different departments and contribute to the running of a variety of projects. I am involved from the very start when we bid on a potential project, throughout a project’s life, right to completion. I love working at Max Fordham because I feel part of something which is making a positive difference to our planet. 

What is your favourite build­ing and why? 

My favourite building is Kibble Palace, a beautiful glasshouse within the Glasgow Botanic Gardens. It’s a magical wrought iron and glass building, full of tree ferns, which combines my Scottish and NZ roots! 

Tell us about the LGBTQ+ Network 

We set up the LGBTQ+ Network to provide a safe space to discuss issues affecting LGBTQ+ people at Max Fordham, to share experiences, and to provide an informal networking opportunity. We have an informal regular meeting and we contribute to the Practice’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion group. The Network comprises a range of ages and backgrounds, and everyone is welcome and respected. 

What do you think is the greatest benefit of a diverse and inclusive workplace? 

I think the greatest benefit of a diverse workplace is the richness of experience that diversity brings us. We can all learn so much more about each other, and ourselves, by working with people from all walks of life. Not only will more people feel comfortable and respected working somewhere where diversity is celebrated and encouraged – but that same workplace will reflect better the diverse society that we live in, and allow us to design buildings that are suitable for everyone. 

What were you doing before you started at Max Fordham and how long have you been working here? 
Once upon a time, when I worked in the Oil and Gas industry, I was stuck in a job I hated. Moving to an offshore plant seemed the only opportunity to grow professionally. Driven by a career change, I took a gap year and moved to the sunniest country I could think of! Fast forward to two intense years, which included a green-washed startup, some shifts at the local pub, a job in a family-run sustainable business and last but not least, a lockdown, I finally landed at Max Fordham in September 2021. This week is my third anniversary. 
 
Why Sus­tain­abil­i­ty?  
I studied Architectural Engineering in Italy, and I have been passionate about sustainability, green architecture, and low-carbon materials since I was a student. In 2014, I worked on a research paper for my dissertation. I was fascinated by the infinite possibilities of material reuse (at the time, mainly through recycling C&D waste) within a building. I always knew I wanted to get a job out of it, and despite my career taking a U-turn, I came back to the right path. 
 
What is your favourite build­ing and why? 
That’s the most difficult question, I have so many favourites! If I can say two of them at least, there is for sure, the very popular Fallingwater by F.L. Wright and The Glass House by P. Johnson. I always appreciated how they were both beautifully designed to be surrounded by their landscape and so stunningly blended into nature. The latter was carefully designed to be invisible from the road, which I always found fascinating. 
 
Tell us about the English as a Second Language Group.  
The idea of having a network for non-native English speakers came from the need to abolish any form of language barrier, support others, and bring my communication skills to the next level.  

Since the early stages of my career, and before getting stuck with a job I hated, I moved to a foreign country, had a glimpse of the Spanish academia for my dissertation work, and moved to South America just after graduation for an on-site work placement sponsored by my University. During this period, I experienced many of the challenges people can face in a diverse working environment and I am proud to say I successfully overcame many of these challenges, from being in a not-so-inclusive workplace to simply working with lovely people who could not understand the stress and mental fatigue of preparing for meetings or attending workshops in another language.  

Not being an efficient communicator can limit the opportunities to grow professionally compared to as fast as native speakers can grow to seniors/principal roles and can lead to frustration.  
 
What does a diverse and inclusive workplace mean to you? 
Being supported, equally treated and valued should be at the core of any diverse and inclusive workplace.  
Max Fordham already ticks so many of these boxes, and I am lucky enough to say I never felt so included in any other place I worked before. 

There are many non-native English speakers at Max Fordham, and to me, that means the practice is able to recognise the many talents of people who come from another country and speak a different language. We need a place for them to meet, support each other, and share new ideas. In addition, I genuinely believe leadership should also support diversity, which is less seen and more challenging to do than supporting junior roles.