Pride Road Franchisees Lisa Raynes, Shuahra Rahman, Magda Haener, Laura Simpkins and Sandy Hickey, had the pleasure of meeting Simon Allford the President of the RIBA on 1 st March 2022. They were also joined by Jane and Natalia to learn more about Pride Road.
Simon introduced himself and set out his ambitions for the RIBA to become the House of Architecture, to encourage organisations like Pride Road to use their facilities.
Recognition of overseas architectural qualifications
Since Brexit overseas qualifications have not been recognised, Lisa asked Simon if this would be resolved soon. Although the Chairman of the ARB said they are making good progress with countries connected to the UK, Simon believes the way forward is for all architectural qualifications to be recognised and registered, not just ARB qualified.
Flexible work models and how they can encourage women in Architecture
Lisa raised the lack of diversity and encouragement for girls to come into the profession. Although entry into architecture is now about 50:50, this becomes more like 70:30 because of inadequate maternity leave and other schemes which effectively penalise mothers. The difficulties start once you are pregnant and continue when you go back into work.
What is needed is a better funded profession and more flexible models of work. Laura added that while the RIBA reduced your subscription, the ARB did not. Simon suggested the RIBA set up a maternity membership section where colleagues could discuss the challenges they are facing. Also, like Pride Road, a practice in a box with an idealised employment contract and PII would be helpful.
Lisa said that competence, confidence and cash flow were the reasons she set up Pride Road: confidence comes from the business model and managing cash flow. Lisa’s is a Chartered Practice, and she wishes to encourage Pride Road franchisees to join the RIBA scheme because of the advantages of being on the RIBA website, such as recommendations for jobs, brand awareness and marketing.
How post COVID hybrid working will change our homes and cities
Laura had read Simon’s piece in the RIBA Journal where he said that Zoom has allowed us to survive, not thrive: how will this affect the place of work and change house design?
Simon said socialising and informal relationships form an essential part of work: there will be a rebooting of the way people work, with declining retail there is a huge opportunity to set up informal work centres/co-working spaces, as well as sheds in the garden and an extra room at home.
Most of Laura’s clients now see their futures as hybrid, this is a massive change. Simon said the problem is you take your work everywhere, which may not work for everyone, and inexperienced architects lose the benefit of learning from colleagues. Laura’s business had just started when lockdown happened, it was lonely, and she missed being able to talk through issues and ideas with people. Sandy thought being an architect and having a child would be easy, not realising she needed more experience and input from others to set up her own practice. Pride Road provides the opportunity to create a network.
How Pride Road can benefit franchisees
Jane said that one of the reasons she is thinking of joining Pride Road is that the most challenging aspect is procuring work. She wonders if the fact that she is a female architect, has anything to do with it. The Pride Road concept in her view is a very clever solution.
Lisa said that is why Pride Road is all about planned procurement, knowing your target market, and marketing to that market. Simon agreed that Pride Road is an example of the benefits of a franchise or consortium. Magda added that the success of Pride Road is that although they are all architects, they are in different regions, and can share experiences but are not in competition with each other, when you are starting you do not have the same level of confidence. Simon said that collective sharing helps to build up confidence and is one of the benefits of being a member of the RIBA and Pride Road is a similar model.
Everyone agreed that Pride Road works by sharing intelligence and with increased membership there could be great economic benefits with fees and profitability rising. Simon concluded by saying that Pride Road is a great model for helping people, not just for getting jobs.