Operations Director

…we actively promote awareness in our people of their fundamental importance to our ability to provide ‘design that works’. At RKD sustainability is at the core of everything we do, and we foster deep understanding in our people of the importance of accountability and taking individual and collective responsibility for using our knowledge and our influence as a force for positive change in the built environment.

…we promote awareness and understanding of our core values: design, leadership, and people. Collectively and individually, we understand our ‘why’, which is to generate and realise every opportunity for creating a more sustainable future through our built environment. Each person in RKD is encouraged to grow their knowledge and use their expertise to collaboratively shape and lead effective change for the better, from the personal level and interactions with colleagues right up to the macro capability of our brand to influence project outcomes, local and national policy decisions, and communications with our industry and the public.

…personally promoting our values of design, leadership, and people, to everyone in RKD as well as to our industry partners, clients, and wider audiences. David frequently ‘does the rounds’ at each of RKD’s office locations, personally visiting and checking in with teams and individuals as much as possible, and utilising digital channels to keep in regular contact where in-person contact is not feasible. David writes an introductory message in our internal company newsletter each month, is very active on social media including LinkedIn, and regularly sends company emails to all staff or to sub-groups to communicate on values and other matters of importance.

…facilitating our people with multiple ways to share ideas, provide and receive feedback, and understand & realise their growth potential. Our performance review framework helps each person to align their knowledge of where they think they stand with tailored feedback from senior management. There is a level playing field to provide everyone with the same opportunities and promotional pathways to identify talent and reward ambition. Leaders of project teams facilitate constructive criticism sessions to encourage team members to voice opinions, sense-check validity of design decisions, and maximise opportunity in the evolving design, incorporating diverse ideas within a rational framework.

…encouraging our people to actively take part in company life. We mix formal and informal, digital and in-person communication channels to provide our people with lots of different ways to exchange knowledge and share ideas. We run all-hander ‘townhall’-style meetings, individual team get togethers, CPD / lessons learned sessions, social events, charity fundraisers (e.g. coffee mornings). Whenever possible we blend online and in-person attendance so as not to limit our people by their geographic location.