At our biggest Academy gathering to date, we focused on collaboration and communication across our industry.
Across the three levels that attended the training, we welcomed over 70 staff from our 8 UK offices to participate in sessions focused on leadership, collaboration, cross-discipline communication and with additional external sessions our staff were able to ask questions and delve deeper into the intricacies of collaboration across sectors.
Since the launch of WW:Academy in 2022, we have supported many of our staff across four levels, with two-day sessions twice a year, that are designed to go beyond technical CPD sessions, focusing on larger overarching topics such as leadership development, collaboration, and fostering industry connections. Each level within our academy is tailored according to the career stage of our staff, from juniors to our future leaders.
“I think what’s been especially great this time is the increase in participation. We’ve focused on fostering high levels of communication and integrating that effectively with the rest of the design team. This approach has brought significant benefits – engaging in meaningful conversations, conducting workshops, and accomplishing tasks collaboratively.” Raymond Kelly, our Quality & Standardisation Manager, shared.
As part of our commitment to excellence, we welcomed external experts to join our Academy sessions providing invaluable industry insights and allowing for meaningful discussions. including Building Control specialists Assent, HFD Property Group, and structural engineering consultancy Will Rudd Associates.
At our Level 2 and Level 3 sessions, Jennifer Barrett of Assent led a session on the vital role that regulations play throughout the design process. Her session provided attendees with an understanding of regulatory frameworks, emphasising their impact from concept through to project completion. By exploring real-world scenarios, Jennifer shed light on how proactive engagement with building control can streamline project workflows, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance without necessarily compromising design.
Stephen Lewis, Managing Director of HFD Property Group, delivered presentations across all three Academy levels. His sessions offered an insider’s perspective on client expectations and the importance of staying ahead of industry trends. Stephen highlighted how prioritising quality, operational efficiency, and future proofing is essential not only for meeting current demands but also for creating sustainable, resilient designs that stand the test of time. He challenged our attendees to adopt a more client-focused approach, sparking discussions on how engineers can better align their work with end-user needs and overarching demands.
Will Rudd Associates represented by MJ O’Shaughnessy, Alasdair MacPhee, and Gerard Carson, shared invaluable expertise across all levels. Their session emphasised the importance of structural quality as a backbone of successful design. They explored how effective collaboration across disciplines – both internal and external – is fundamental to achieving outstanding results, and aids in risk mitigation. Additionally, the trio underscored the role of open communication in building strong partnerships and ensuring that every team involved in a project is aligned toward a shared vision.
In addition to our external speakers, this autumn’s Academy sessions featured presentations from internal leaders and staff members.
Our Managing Director, Allan McGill, delivered a session tailored for our Level 4 attendees, focusing on the principles of business excellence, leadership development, and operational efficiency. Allan emphasised the importance of their roles as future leaders within the company. He also highlighted practical strategies for nurturing and empowering junior staff, fostering a culture of mentorship, collaboration, and innovation across teams, regardless of discipline. This session was pivotal in preparing our senior team members to shape the next generation of talent and drive Wallace Whittle’s long-term success.
Our new ESG division provided an update on the latest advancements in sustainable design and the company’s evolving Environmental, Social, and Governance strategy. They showcased PathWWay, our digital dashboard designed to empower clients with data-driven insights for creating sustainable, impactful solutions. Beyond technology, the session offered participants a holistic view of sustainability’s role in the built environment, touching on key trends in social governance, and sustainable design. Attendees left with a greater understanding of our new division and how we are integrating sustainability into every stage of our projects.
Lastly our Marketing Team delivered a presentation on their role in supporting our engineers. They explored how collaboration between technical experts and marketing professionals can elevate internal documents, presentations, and client-facing materials to high and impactful standards. By sharing real-world examples, the team demonstrated how aligning technical expertise with communication enhances the quality of both digital and physical marketing content, underscoring the value of a unified approach, highlighting how effective collaboration drives business success and strengthens our brand presence.
We concluded each level with a face-to-face session with our Managing Director, Allan McGill, where he outlined plans for the business, new opportunities, upcoming news and opened the floor to questions and feedback.
During these discussions, Allan outlined the company’s strategic plans, shared insights into exciting new opportunities on the horizon, and previewed upcoming developments that will shape the future of the business. We firmly believe that transparency is the foundation of a thriving workplace as we value building trust, collaboration, and mutual respect across all levels of the organisation.
