INSPIRE
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LANDSCAPE A R C H I T EC T ’S L
AS ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS ALISON GALBRAITH AND ROBYN BUTCHER MAKE PLANS TO STEP INTO DIRECTOR ROLES AT TERRA FIRMA, THEY TALK TO US ABOUT WHY DIVERSITY IS SO IMPORTANT TO THE COMPANY, AND HOW ITS ETHOS PLAYS INTO THE PROJECTS IT CREATES
andscape architecture is arguably one of the more diverse sectors of the industry when it comes to gender equality. However, in The Future State of Landscape practice survey carried out by the Landscape Institute in 2017, it was revealed that, although within the £35 to £50k income range there is a balance, as you reach the higher pay bracket it drops significantly, with more than twice as many men as women falling into this category. terra firma is breaking this trend though, as associate directors Alison Galbraith and Robyn Butcher are set to move into director roles alongside current director, Lionel Fanshawe. Improving diversity within landscape architecture across the board is a high priority for terra firma.
JOURNAL T h e te r ra f i r m a C o n s u l t a n c y
WE WANT TO HAVE A SPREAD OF PEOPLE, ABILITIES AND TALENTS WITHIN THE OFFICE
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48 Pro Landscaper / November 2019
Landscape Architects Journal KR.indd 48
“We want to have a spread of people, abilities and talents within the office,” Robyn tells us. With a team of 15, the staff range from those who are fully qualified landscape architects with years of experience, to those starting the pathway, to year out students. One of terra firma’s staff members is also on the Landscape Institute’s Diversity and Inclusion working group, which concentrates on how the industry can attract and retain more minority groups within the profession. “We’re a ‘people-focused’ company. We have a very low staff turnover and like to include the team in any decisions we can,” Alison adds. This
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24/10/2019 14:31