Increasing diversity within our office

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• We recognise that ethnic minorities are currently under represented at Bell Phillips Architects and we are therefore taking positive action to address the diversity of our office.
• We encourage job applications from underrepresented groups to build a business that reflects the society in which we live.
• in a diverse section of the labour market. Recruitment, promotion and other selection exercises are conducted on the basis of merit and against objective criteria that avoid discrimination.We hire the best person for the job and seek out diverse candidates by advertising
• Shortlisting is always done by more than one person to avoid bias.
• Bell Phillips Architects is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment. All staff receive equal treatment regardless of gender, age, disability, gender reassignment, gender identity, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or mate
  rnity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
• We take a zero-tolerance approach to bigotry and intolerant behaviour.
• We operate a Grievance Procedure and Anti-harassment and Bullying Policy to ensure all staff have a recognised channel to raise issues.

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Promoting diversity within the profession

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• We are keen to encourage people from differing backgrounds to enter architecture and are signed up to the London Practice Forum Ethical Charter which aims to advocate and lobby for positive change in the industry.
• We also aim to encourage economically disadvantaged people into the industry with our commitment to the Mayor’s Diversity Pledge and the Mayor’s Access and Aspiration Employability Programme.
• We provide support via work experience, mentoring and apprenticeships and currently take part in the Tower Hamlets school work experience programme to provide an opportunity to those who may not have considered architecture as a future career.
• We are signed up to the Speakers Diversity Pledge to ensure that we only take part in events where speakers will be drawn from diverse backgrounds.

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Raising awareness

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• Regular training and CPD’s are provided to all staff including diversity and unconscious bias training.
• We have an Equality and Inclusion Team who meet monthly and review policy, plan training and CPD’s, consider equality and inclusion in our designs and seek opportunities to provide work experience, mentoring and apprenticeships. The Equality and Inclusion Team continuously monitor progress and suggest positive action.

Gender pay gap

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• We are committed to reporting our gender pay gap on a 6 monthly basis.

• Bell Phillips’ current mean gender pay gap in hourly pay is - 5.97% . This is the difference between the average of men’s and women’s pay as a percentage of men’s pay and shows that women at BPA earn on average 5.97% higher wages. The national gender pay gap is currently 10.83% in favour of men.
• Bell Phillips median gender pay gap in hourly pay is -18.62% (in favour of women). This is the difference between the midpoints in the ranges of men’s and women’s pay as a percentage of men’s pay. The national median pay gap is 7.30% in favour of men.
  
  The BPA Proportion of males and females in each pay quartile are as follows:

• Upper quartile: 57% female / 43% male
• Upper middle quartile: 50% female / 50% male
• Lower middle quartile: 50% female / 50% male
• Lower quartile: 43% female / 57% male
• The Gender Pay Gap is calculated using the government guidance: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-your-gender-pay-gap-calculations

• Bell Phillips' staff are 50% female, 50% male, 70% white and 30% ethnically diverse. At board level, Bell Phillips is 50% female (October 2025)

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Diversity in design

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• We are working to ensure that our designs are inclusive and consider as diverse a range of people as possible.

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“After 7 years of being homeless, I have a beautiful flat, have managed to start work, improve my health and build a life worth living, it feels like I’ve won the lottery”.

— Sutton Housing Resident 2021

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Social Value in practice

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• We strive to work ethically, considering human rights as well as the social, economic and environmental impacts of what we do. We work collaboratively with clients and communities and as a result social value is embedded in all our projects.

• At Bell Phillips we share a social and moral compass, our values and ethics are important to us and we have a collective passion to improve lives through our design. We are collaborative, friendly and all staff voices are heard. We aim to provide a supportive and trusting culture for staff to grow and progress through the practice.

• We have a Social Value Working Group looking at Social Value in our design work and developing educational programmes, work experience, apprenticeships and other outreach activities.

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Community Engagement

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• We appreciate the importance and value of consulting the end users of our buildings and believe that we should care as much about our buildings after delivery as we do before.

• We undertake extensive consultation exercises on all projects to ensure end users can contribute to the design and feel part of the process.

• It is following occupation that some of the most valuable lessons can be learnt and through post occupancy evaluation we can ascertain if end users are satisfied with the building and if buildings are performing as well as intended.

Outreach work

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• We recognise that creating successful places with sustainable communities is not just about buildings. It’s also about increasing opportunities for employment, access to shops and services, incorporating opportunities for public art and engaging with local schoolchildren and the community.

• With every project we undertake we aim to contribute to the greater social value of the area including providing local jobs or apprenticeships during construction, incorporating enterprise space or shops, supporting local businesses and providing education and training.

• We have an educational programme with activities for primary school, secondary school, sixth form and right through further education. We offer work experience to secondary schools, sixth form students and universities. We appreciate the financial implications of studying for architecture and are committed to providing apprenticeship places to enable students to continue to work while studying.

• We have a commitment to employ companies and artists local to our projects wherever possible. We also have a volunteering programme which allows staff time off to volunteer for causes connected to the communities we serve.

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Social Value in design

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• We are aware of concerns around isolation and mental health in modern society and the positive health benefits of natural light, ventilation, access to open space and so on.

• Connectivity is a key factor encouraging sustainable modes of transport such as walking and cycling. By ensuring sustainable modes are prioritised, we will assist in promoting healthy lifestyles and tackling obesity whilst simultaneously bringing about improvements to the environment.

We recognise that there is a climate emergency and acknowledge the significant impact that the construction industry has on the environment. At Bell Phillips Architects we embrace the responsibility for reducing our impact on the environment and accept that we must shift our behaviour, way of thinking and design approach to do this and advocate for others to do the same.  

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Bell Phillips Architects are a founding member of the London Practice Forum which aspires to create a sustainable community, profession and environment and in 2019 we signed the ‘UK Architects Declare Climate and Biodiversity Emergency’ declaration.

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We understand that design cannot be successful without being sustainable, and have developed the following principles to embed sustainability in our work and practices:

We will strive to make all buildings we design net zero carbon, or carbon negative, in their regulated energy usage

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1. We will aspire to radically reduce embodied energy within the buildings we design

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2. We will promote the importance of the highest environmental standards as we believe truly sustainable solutions emerge from close collaboration with clients and consultants

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3. We will consider environmental, social and economic sustainability as three key factors to ensure our buildings will be affordable, community focused and will stand the test of time

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4. We will consider re-use as a first principle and design our buildings with adaptability, flexibility and the circular economy in mind

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5. We will implement a sustainability checklist reviewed at each project workstage

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6. We will promote the use of post occupancy evaluation to help close the performance gap between theory and practice and achieve real-world environmental benefits

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7. We will ensure our own studio procedures are regularly reviewed to consider our impact on the environment first, so that we lead by example

February 2026

Commitment to achieving Net Zero

Bell Phillips Architects Limited is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050. We will keep this date under review, bringing it forward if possible as our carbon reduction plans develop.

‍Baseline Emissions Footprint

Baseline Year: 2024/2025 (1 April – 31 March)

Additional Details relating to the Baseline Emissions calculations:

This baseline represents our first calculation of the carbon footprint of the organisation

Baseline year emissions (tCO2e)

Scope 1: 0.001 (1)

Scope 2: 6.65

Scope 3: 166.80

Including Scope 3 categories

1.1 Other products & services (incl. insurance): 76.57

1.2 Subconsultants: 49.64

1.3 Hotel stays: 0.70

1.4 Water use: 0.09

2. Capital goods: 25.17

3. Fuel- and energy-related activities: 2.19 (2)

4. Upstream transportation & distribution: 0.00 (3)

5. Waste generated in operations: 0.15 (4)

6. Business travel: 4.17

7. Employee commuting: 8.13 (5)

9. Downstream transportation & distribution: 0.00 (6)

Total Emissions: 173.45

Current Emissions Reporting

Reporting Year: 2024/2025 (1 April – 31 March)

Additional Details relating to the Reporting Emissions calculations.

This reporting year represents our first calculation of the carbon footprint of the organisation

Current year emissions (tCO2e):

Scope 1: 0.00 (7)

Scope 2: 6.65

Scope 3: 166.80

Included Scope 3 categories

1.1 Other products & services (incl. insurance): 76.57

1.2 Subconsultants: 49.64

1.3 Hotel stays: 0.70

1.4 Water use: 0.09

2.Capital goods: 25.17

3. Fuel- and energy-related activities: 2.19 (8)

4.Upstream transportation & distribution: 0.00 (9)

5. Waste generated in operations: 0.15 (10)

6. Business travel: 4.17

7. Employee commuting: 8.13 (11)

9. Downstream transportation & distribution: 0.00 (12)

Total Emissions: 173.45

Emissions reduction targets

The organisation is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. We will keep this date under review, bringing it forward if possible as our carbon reduction plans develop.

1. The company does not use fuels for heating and has no company owned vehicles.

2. This includes: emissions from electricity transmission & distribution losses; well-to-tank emissions associated with electricity generation; and well-to-tank emissions from fuel use.

3. The organisation does not sell or supply any physical products so there is no upstream or downstream transportation.

4. This includes solid waste and emissions associated wastewater treatment.

5. This includes emissions from Employee Telecommuting, a sub-category of Category 7.

6. The organisation does not sell or supply any physical products so there is no upstream or downstream transportation.

7. The company does not use fuels for heating and has no company owned vehicles.

8. This includes: emissions from electricity transmission & distribution losses; well-to-tank emissions associated with electricity generation; and well-to-tank emissions from fuel use.

9. The organisation does not sell or supply any physical products so there is no upstream or downstream transportation.

10. This includes solid waste and emissions associated wastewater treatment.

11. This includes emissions from Employee Telecommuting, a sub-category of Category 7.

12. The organisation does not sell or supply any physical products so there is no upstream or downstream transportation.

Carbon Reduction Projects

Completed Carbon Reduction Initiatives

The following environmental management measures and projects have been completed:

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General:

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• The organisation achieved Green Small Business Certification in November 2025, having consolidated their existing environmental policy and action plan, addressing all of the significant environmental impacts of the business.

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Office Travel:

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• We operate a hybrid working model, which reduces emissions from staff commuting.

• We provide access to the Cycle 2 Work Scheme.

• We encourage all staff to cycle where possible. Mileage allowance can be claimed at a rate of 20p per mile for business travel, to and from meetings for example.

• Business travel has been reduced through extensive use of videoconferencing.

• The office operates a policy of not flying for office trips.

• The office operates a policy of not flying for business trips unless strictly necessary.

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Office Management:

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• Office premises have been selected on the basis that they provide good daylighting (avoiding use of artificial lighting as much as possible) and natural ventilation.

• Office lighting is switched off at night.

• Plants have been introduced to the office to reduce pollution and cool the air.

• Lighting is provided by low energy light fittings where possible

• Emails and documents are filed electronically and unnecessary printing is discouraged.

• All paper waste is recycled.

• Drawings and documents are issued electronically whenever possible, but when paper copies are necessary these are issued at A3 scale rather than A1 scale to minimise paper usage.

• The office has a policy of unsubscribing to all unwanted journals and research is done online instead.

• Staff are encouraged to only order samples when absolutely necessary. The office operates a library system to ensure multiple samples are not ordered. Unrequired samples are returned wherever possible.

• Office heating in winter is used prudently.

• Drinking water for the office is provided by a filter system to avoid delivery of water bottles.

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Ethical and Sustainable Procurement:

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• Food provided for meetings and office events is vegetarian and brought to the office by cycle.

• Food provided by the company is always purchased with minimal packaging in mind.

• We prioritize the procurement of materials and products that have minimal negative environmental impact throughout their lifecycle, including extraction, production, transportation, use, and disposal.

• Preference is given to suppliers who demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices, such as using renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, minimizing waste generation, and implementing efficient resource management.

• We actively seek out alternatives to materials and products that are known to be environmentally harmful, such as those containing hazardous chemicals or contributing to deforestation.

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Sustainable Building Design:

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• We have an appointed Sustainability Lead and Sustainability Working Group who are responsible for overseeing the implementation of our net-zero strategy and regularly monitoring progress.

• We integrate passive design strategies to optimise energy efficiency and minimise the need for mechanical heating and cooling.

• We prioritize the use of low-carbon materials with a focus on embodied carbon reduction, recycled content, and responsibly sourced materials. We design buildings with flexibility and adaptability to accommodate future changes in use and occupancy patterns, reducing the need for demolition and redevelopment.

• We specify high-efficiency building systems and appliances to minimise energy consumption during operation.

• We design buildings to maximise opportunities for on-site renewable energy generation, such as solar photovoltaics.

• We adopt principles of the circular economy by designing for disassembly, reuse, and recycling of building materials.

• We aim to minimise construction waste through efficient material management practices and by specifying modular and prefabricated construction methods where appropriate.

• We promote the use of reclaimed materials wherever possible and support the development of local material reuse networks.

• We promote the use of locally sourced building materials whenever feasible and practical.

• We regularly calculate embodied carbon emissions for the building fabric of our projects, using an in-house Revit tool (known as BPACT).

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‍Education and Leadership:

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• We provide training and professional development opportunities for staff to enhance their knowledge and skills in sustainable design and construction practices

• We collaborate with clients, consultants, contractors, and suppliers to promote a shared commitment to sustainability and foster innovation.

• We engage with industry organizations and participate in collaborative initiatives to advance sustainability in the built environment.

• We advocate for policy changes and regulatory incentives that support the adoption of sustainable design and construction practices.

• We share our knowledge and experience through thought leadership, publications, and participation in industry events and conferences.

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Planned Carbon Reduction Initiatives

Our environmental action plan commits us to the implementation of further measures which we anticipate will reduce the carbon intensity of the business, such as:

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Office management:

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• Change default printer settings to double-sided to reduce paper use.

• Engage paper supplier to provide recycled paper if within current contractual agreement.

• Review whether cleaning products can be 100% biodegradable.

• Switching to a 'deep green' energy tariff if available.

• Host knowledge sharing workshops to encourage staff to reduce their carbon footprint (including data management, stationery use, printing, reusable food containers)

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Sustainable Building Design:

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• Sustainability Lead and Sustainability Working Group to continually review net-zero strategy, monitor progress and share knowledge on the improvement of sustainable building design throughout project work.

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Ethical and Sustainable Procurement:

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• Engage milk supplier to explore purchase of organic milk, if available.

• Source other organic kitchen refreshments where possible.

• Engage more ethical and sustainable stationery suppliers.

• Update sub-consultant proforma to include to include environmental and carbon audit.

• Update and review Environmentally Preferable Purchasing policy (EPP) to ensure environmentally responsible purchasing for all goods and services.

Declaration and Sign Off

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This Carbon Reduction Plan has been completed in accordance with PPN 006 and associated guidance and reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans.

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Emissions have been reported and recorded in accordance with the published reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans and the GHG Reporting Protocol corporate standard13 and uses the appropriate government emission conversion factors for greenhouse gas company reporting.14

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Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions have been reported in accordance with SECR requirements (where required), and the required subset of Scope 3 emissions have been reported in accordance with the published reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans and the Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard.15

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This Carbon Reduction Plan has been reviewed and signed off by the board of directors (or equivalent management body).

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