Promoting Diversity & Inclusion in Architecture on International Women's Day

As responsible employers, we recognize the importance of our staff. From the inception of the studio, we have incorporated family friendly policies to promote equality, which are endorsed and championed by the management team.

Such policies include flexible working days and the ability to negotiate contracted hours. We recognize that not everyone works best on a traditional 9-5 schedule, and so we offer our staff the ability to negotiate their contracted hours in a way that best suits their individual needs. This not only helps our staff to achieve a better work-life balance, but also enables them to be more productive and engaged in their work.

We also offer additional holiday entitlement associated with key holiday periods. We understand that taking time off work can be difficult for many people, particularly those with caring responsibilities or other commitments outside of work. By offering additional holiday entitlement during key holiday periods, we hope to make it easier for our staff to balance their work and personal lives.

We are proud to also employ both female and male mental health first aiders, we understand that it is essential to have a support network in place and provide staff with support and resources to stay healthy and resilient. Additionally we are committed to fair and equal salaries, regardless of gender and strive to bridge the gender pay gap.

We promote and endorse progression for all of our staff, and this is demonstrated by our female roles across the studio. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to develop and progress, regardless of background or gender.

Holly Astle; a newly qualified architect, delivers a fresh approach to problem-solving and innovative design. Holly will be one of the many Birmingham based women to be recognised this week, at the Women In Architecture 2023 event, hosted by the Birmingham Architectural Association

Holly joined GNA in 2016 after gaining a First-Class Honours degree at the University of Huddersfield. She went on to complete her RIBA Part II with commendation in 2020, after studying part time whilst also working at the studio. She completed her RIBA Part III in 2022, whilst balancing her work and family life at home, she achieved a distinction.

She has experience across many sectors including residential and leisure, Holly is an integral member of the Education team where she leads the design and delivery of both primary and secondary schools. She has a keen interest in the history of places, their people and communities and loves seeing the positive impact education projects can have on local areas. Holly also leads the steering group for social value within the studio, and is passionate about adding value to the projects and communities we work with. She also organises partnerships with local schools, engages with work experience placements and carries out activities and workshops to encourage young people to engage with the profession.

Holly works part time on a 4 day basis as she is also a full time Mom to an energetic toddler! She is passionate to advocate that despite the challenges, juggling an architectural career and parenthood can be achieved within a flexible and supportive practice.

On International Women’s Day, we remind ourselves of the commitment we make, to creating and evolving an inclusive and equitable society for all. We recognize that there is still work to be done, and we pledge to continue to support and advance the rights of women, both within our organization and in the wider community. Together, we can create a better future for women everywhere.

To mark the occasion, follow along on our social media channels where we will be featuring a spotlight on some of the brilliant women that make up our studio team. We are proud to have a group of passionate and skilful women, across our management, business development and architectural teams.

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