JTP named AJ100 Employer of the Year 2019
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JTP named AJ100 Employer of the Year 2019

Published on 20 June 2019

JTP is incredibly proud to have been named Employer of the Year at the 2019 AJ100 Awards, in a momentous occasion for the practice.

The Architect's Journal article said "JTP’s people-centred focus to its business helped it triumph against strong competition from Assael Architecture and Scott Brownrigg in particular."

“
JTP’s architecture is about people and collaboration and this runs through everything the practice does. They really walk the talk in terms of their values.
Judges comments

Overtime at the practice has been reduced by 35% over the past five years, including 10% in the past year. Overtime monitoring has resulted in a significant increase in time-off in lieu. 

A robust career development and training programme includes personal development plans for one, three and five years ahead. An average of £1,490 is invested in training per person each year. 

10% of employees are undertaking professional qualifications, with the practice offering fully funded Parts 2 and 3 and Master’s degrees. 45% of technical staff are female, including 60% of associates.

Generous benefits include 28 days’ paid holiday as standard, plus an additional five days a year for those with more than 10 years’ service, and a new flexi-leave scheme to buy back five further days. 

The practice also offers enhanced maternity leave, while an innovative housing support loan to help employees with deposits for buying or renting has been taken up by 23% of staff. 

“
The practice is genuinely engaging with the concerns of people living in London.
Judges comments

The panel was impressed with the philosophy behind JTP’s new office, a conversion of a former warehouse in Wapping, and how this was helping change workplace culture and encourage more sustainable behaviours. Designed by the practice following extensive staff consultation, the studio is VOC-free and encourages staff interaction through the introduction of agile working and the provision of a large central space – The Hub – where staff come together for daily breakfasts and a locally sourced, catered communal lunch every Monday. The practice also provides quiet and secluded working spaces as well as a prayer room.

JTP is encouraging staff to be plastic-free by providing refillable water bottles and coffee cups as well as cloth bags to reduce lunchtime packaging. Paper use has reduced substantially.

Among the other shortlisted practices, Assael Architecture was praised for its commitment to mental-health wellbeing and staff nurturing, while Scott Brownrigg impressed with its programme for career progression. 

Judges

  • Lucy Carmichael, director of practice, RIBA 
  • Russell Curtis, director, RCKa
  • Selina Mason, director of masterplanning, Lendlease
  • Phyllida Mills, director, Mills Power
  • Jill Showell, principal, Bespoke Careers
  • Sue Watson, consultant and volunteer, Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust
  • Pamela Buxton, AJ100 project manager, The Architects’ Journal