Culture

Our culture

Progress starts with our people

At Whittam Cox Architects, people come first - always.

Our greatest strength is our team, and our culture is built on a genuine commitment to wellbeing, inclusion, professional growth and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

We place people at the centre of everything we do, from how we collaborate to how we shape our communities. Through dedicated programmes, thoughtful policies and a culture of openness, we empower our people to develop, grow and feel supported every step of the way.

Our values

Progressive by design

Continuous improvement guides us — in our work, our culture and our thinking. We constantly ask: Are we delivering the best outcomes in the best way? This mindset helps us respond to change and shape better spaces, places and experiences.

Integrity

Honesty, fairness and transparency shape every interaction. We communicate clearly, act responsibly and uphold professional integrity in everything we do.

Collaboration

We believe the best ideas come from diverse minds working together. Every voice has value, and every team member plays a fundamental role in our collective success.

Creativity

We foster imagination, passion and curiosity, encouraging people to think boldly and push boundaries. This is how we deliver meaningful design that inspires and exceeds expectations.

Life at Whittam Cox

We recognise that life can be complex for lots of different reasons. As a progressive employer, wellbeing sits at the heart of our culture and that means different things to different people. Our approach ensures we have policies, initiatives and support packages which promote and respond to physical and mental well-being holistically. Beyond this we support individuals through human centric empathy, understanding and often bespoke responses.

We celebrate our successes and talk about challenges openly, promoting a ‘one team’ approach. We curate regular touch points to come together to ensure everyone feels informed and heard as we navigate our work life together. These times together often include social activities to connect beyond the day job and ensure we know and understand each other personally.

We all work hard, but our committed has no boundaries to creating a healthy work-life balance, because we know that when people feel supported they can thrive and do their best work. We continue to evolve our support, so our people feel cared for, valued and able to reach their potential every day.

 

Getting together for one of our annual summer events

Getting together for one of our annual summer events

Raising funds for local and national causes throughout the year

Raising funds for local and national causes throughout the year

Growth, Learning & Professional Development

We are committed to nurturing talent and supporting continuous learning at every level across all roles and disciplines.
From professional qualifications to tailored training and leadership pathways, we invest in helping people build the skills, confidence and experience they need to grow.

Whether someone is just starting out or taking the next step in their career, we create opportunities for meaningful progression, empowering individuals to achieve their aspirations.

"It was obvious from my job interview; beyond the great project portfolio is the people. The values and their collaborative approach make it an enjoyable and reliable place to work."
Petros Zintilis

Architect

Health & Wellbeing

Wellbeing sits at the heart of our culture. We support our people with policies and initiatives that help them balance work, life and personal needs. We work hard, but we’re equally committed to creating a healthy work-life balance, because we know that when people feel supported, they can thrive and do their best work.

Our approach combines practical wellbeing measures—physical health services, neurodiversity support and in-house Mental Health First Aiders—with a responsive attitude to individual circumstances. We continue to evolve our support, so our people feel cared for, valued and able to reach their potential every day.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, included and able to realise their full potential.

We believe in creating a culture where everyone feels valued and respected. We actively work to remove barriers to advancement and promote fairness for everyone.

Through ongoing education and assessment, we strive to build a workplace where diversity is celebrated as a strength.

Design charette at our studio

Social Value & Community Impact

We take pride in giving back to the communities where we live and work.

We’re passionate about inspiring the next generation, working closely with schools, colleges and universities to create pathways into the industry. Through mentoring, work experience, apprenticeships and education programmes, we help people from all backgrounds build lasting, fulfilling careers in architecture.

We also support local charities through volunteering, fundraising and awareness-building — including long-standing partnerships with Sheffield 1000, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and Ashgate Hospice.

Our social value commitment reflects our belief in using our skills, time and resources to make a positive, meaningful impact.

I joined the practice early in my career, and what’s kept me here is the people. We’ve built a genuinely supportive environment where everyone is encouraged to grow, contribute ideas, and develop their strengths. It’s a team that looks after one another and takes pride in doing great work together.
Jon Godwin

Executive Director

Join the team

If you’re looking for a place where people are genuinely supported, creativity is encouraged and progress is shared, we’d love to hear from you!

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