Associated Architects continues its tradition of active involvement in the professional built environment community in Birmingham and promotion of industry best practice via appointments to the Birmingham Architectural Association (BAA) Board and to the Chair of the British Council for Offices (BCO) Next Gen Committee.
Bethany Long and Ben McPhee join the leadership Board of the BAA, a group founded in 1874 and one that we have provided three presidents for. Working alongside the RIBA they promote, support, and share knowledge within the city’s architectural community.
Architectural Assistant Bethany will be leading their Women in Architecture group.
Bethany said: “The motivation behind Women in Architecture is a constant pursuit and celebration of equality, ensuring that women and minorities are equally and fairly represented in our industry. The group intends to start a conversation and provide a platform for women whose voices have gone unheard; creating a dialogue that can become an everyday part of office culture. This will be achieved through an exhibition of events, workshops and panel discussion throughout the year, pushing equal opportunities and inviting different perspectives and experiences to broaden the depth and wealth of knowledge available to us architects.”
Marketing and Brand Manager Ben McPhee is the BAA’s Creative Lead and heads up the implementation and oversight of their visual identity, marketing strategy and communications.
Ben said “I am looking forward to widening the reach of the BAA and continue its growth serving on the Board and as the Associations Creative Lead. Being a part of the BAA Leadership enables me to utilise my experience working in the built environment with the RIBA, in international property law, and Associated Architects of course. Applying it to supporting all of the built environment professionals across Birmingham and the Midlands region. It’s very exciting to see what we have planned for upcoming events and collaborations; and to see what fresh ideas our new members can generate and how we, as a leadership team, can realise them.”
Associate Alex Slatter was appointed Chair of the Midlands and East Anglia Regional British Council for Offices (BCO) NextGen Committee. The BCO is Britain’s leading forum for the discussion and debate of issues affecting the office sector and their NextGen arm enables young professionals in the commercial property sector to share ideas, develop knowledge and build networks. She follows in the footsteps of Directors James Hall and Steve Townsend in the leadership of the region’s BCO and BCO NextGen committees.
Alex said “It is a pleasure to serve as Chair of the BCO NextGen Committee, working with a group of passionate, inquisitive and ambitious individuals across the Construction and Property profession. We have an exciting year ahead exploring how the Office sector in the Midlands reacts and grows post-pandemic, with an increasing emphasis on sustainable design, smart technologies and work-life balance for occupiers and designers. Drawing upon my experience in both sustainable retrofit of existing buildings and new office design, I look forward to putting on further thought-provoking discussions, first-look building tours and other network and mentoring opportunities for our NextGen members in the months to come”
