Blog: SECBE Awards 2022 finalist - Noviun Architects

24 March 2022

People Development sponsored by Cheesmur Building Contractors

Noviun Architects

People Development Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards 2022 finalist

Since the establishment of the practice, Noviun Architects have placed the employees at the heart of the business and have been very proud of the high staff retention rates.

Noviun Architects recognised the challenges the staff faced through the high-demand jobs even before the pandemic and invested in training the office manager as a Mental Health First Aider. Understanding the pressures the employees are facing, the company adapted the flexible working arrangement in 2016. Throughout the pandemic, the practice also regularly came together to celebrate the recent successes, which created an excellent atmosphere for weekly “check-ups” between everyone and was a great chance to discuss any challenges too.

Noviun Architects focuses on how to attract the new generation of talent and, as such are keen to invest in the employees to support their education. The company recognises the importance of investing in the future generation and attracting the best talent to the practice by offering sponsorship for university courses or apprenticeships. Two of its employees are currently part of the apprenticeship scheme. 

This year Noviun Architects has supported two of its architects to become Passivhaus designers and consultants which means they are now able to actively contribute to improving the quality of its buildings using the Passivhaus principles and work towards the 2030 net-zero carbon target set by LETI (London Energy Transformation Initiative) for all new built buildings.

However, Noviun’s commitment to people development goes beyond the practice, the company also gets involved in professional interviews and mentoring at the universities across the south coast. 

Noviun Architects is an architectural practice built around its people. This is evidenced by having staff working with them for 10, 20 and 30+ years.

Key achievements:

• Highly skilled and motivated workforce, 70% of which have been supported through their training by the practice.

• Extremely high staff retention rate by recognising people management and professional / personal development skills are the most critical aspects of running the practice.

• A working environment, variety and quality of project work, and forward-thinking and flexible contractual arrangements allow Noviun Architects to attract the very best staff available.

Find more about Noviun Architects:

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Find out who wins at the Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards 2022 Ceremony on Thurs 30th June 2022.

About the People Development Award (sponsored by Cheesmur Building Contractors): 

People are our greatest asset and this award recognises organisations that appreciate and nurture their workforce to ensure they maximise the value of everyone’s contribution to the business. By creating inclusive workplaces that support people of all abilities through training initiatives, education, mentoring, support networks, and innovative programmes, companies can significantly impact the future of their businesses and the wider construction industry. More info

>> Find out more about the other Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards finalists here