I represent the Architectural community as a Practice Manager, working for an award-winning, London based architecture studio.

Prior to this, I was the Finance & HR Director for a unique London hospitality offering and have over 10 years’ experience of working with creative businesses. I am also an alumni mentor for fledgling graduates of Nottingham Trent University, providing one on one support as they enter the creative industries.

Through this work I am aware of the pressures placed on individuals as they complete their studies and within the workplace. And having experienced these pressures first hand in recent years, I know how important it is to have access to the right support at the right time.

I am incredibly passionate and excited about the work that ABS does, in particularly its partnerships with Anxiety UK and other organisations, to promote the health, wellbeing and good working practices for those in the industry. And by working in a support role for the profession, I look forward to advocating and supporting fundraising for the charity, not only through my colleagues but our extended network.

Nikolina is an Architectural Assistant at Eric Parry Architects, currently completing her Part 3 Qualification at the University of Westminster. She holds an Master’s degree with Distinction from the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, where in 2021 she was awarded the Ambrose Poynter Prize for Outstanding Architectural Thesis.

Nikolina is deeply passionate about celebrating diversity and multiculturalism in the architectural profession. She strongly believes that sharing knowledge within academia and practice is fundamental to establishing sustainable and empowering environment, supporting young architects in the pursuit of their professional aspirations. Hence, in the past year, Nikolina has become a mentor on the Building Future Programme at Blueprint for All.

In her role as an ABS Ambassador, Nikolina is enthusiastic about continuing to engage with students and young architects, transitioning from academia to practice. As a graduate during the pandemic, she values the importance of a strong community and healthy personal habits for maintaining one’s mental wellness. With her engagement in ABS, Nikolina will continue to raise awareness about mental health in the architectural field, broadening ABS’s outreach and impact.

I am a RIBA chartered architect. I graduated from Newcastle University in 2017, during my time there I was awarded a travel scholarship to undertake research on civic architecture in North America. I have worked on various mixed-use and residential schemes, including delivering large-scale, aged-living residential developments in the UK and abroad. I strive to create architecture with a social conscience, and I feel I share a similar ethos to that of ABS.

I am an individual who wants to grow and develop within the profession and has the insight to instil positive change in the industry, for our people. I want to use my position as an ABS ambassador and use it to contribute to society positively.

Kavita is an Architect at Corstorphine and Wright Architects and her passion for architecture derives from her love of craft, detailing and creating. She has an avid interest in social responsibility, sustainability and working with young adults and children and architecture. She leads the CSR team at C&W and is an active RIBA Architect’s Ambassador delivering architectural workshop’s for children in schools as well as being involved in architectural and design related family days.

Kavita also currently sits on the Board of the Birmingham Architectural Association and is the social media manager. Having been involved with the BAA since the revival, Kavita is excited to launch a ‘Diversity and Inclusion’ ground and will lead whilst continuing her involvement with Women in Architecture and BCO. Formerly, Kavita has sat on Student Councils for her universities and acted as a Student and Course representative for Architecture as well as co-founding the Northumbria Architecture Society.

Jamie is an architect working for Howells in London. He completed his master’s degree at the Scott Sutherland School of Architectural and Built Environment and passed his Part 3 qualification in 2023 from the University of Westminster. He was first made aware of the work ABS does through the annual Chicken Run and the opportunities that can be created by the charity.

As an ambassador, he can offer advice and support to the future generation of upcoming architects from his recent experience of the academic process, which can be a challenging and demanding time for students.

ABS is a wonderful organisation that I am thrilled to be able to support. I started my journey in the Built Environment in 2012 at Northumbria University reading Architectural Technology. I now work as a senior Architectural Technologist at FaulknerBrowns Architects with a specialism in Sport and Leisure. I really enjoy working on public sector projects and seeing the impact buildings have on local communities and how they contribute to both physical and mental health of individuals. This is something I am keen to help develop through my role at ABS.

As well as my role as a Technologist I also sit on the FaulknerBrowns CSR and Well-being groups. Having a deeper understanding of what ABS offers has helped me in these roles. I am also a CIAT Northern Region Committee member and look forward to bringing both groups together and promoting the amazing work of ABS in the Northern Region.

Dr Ana Souto is the Director of Doctoral Programmes and a Senior Lecturer in Architecture at the School of Architecture, Design and Built Environment. Ana plays a key role in the development and leadership of the research modules on undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Architecture. She also supervises PhD and Professional Doctorate candidates in the areas of Architecture, Identity, Heritage and Memory. Ana’s research interest lies in architecture as a cultural manifestation of national identity. Her current research explores the connections between identity, memory and heritage, sense of belonging and ownership of the built environment, using a participatory methodology

Hi! My name is Veronica, I am studying to become a chartered Architect. I am a Linguist, I’ve studied languages, obtaining a language degree and fine arts in Rome, Italy and can speak fluently 5 languages: Arabic, English, Italian, Spanish and French.
Before, getting into Salford, I’ve worked extremely hard to achieve D*D*D* (Triple Star Distinctions) at College here in the UK. I came to the UK to pursue my education in architecture and progress in academia. My family comes from a low socio-economic background, we are Egyptian/Italians; and my people represent the minority back home.

I’ve brought my knowledge and awareness of different cultural traditions and cultural history and variety of different cultural cuisines, being mixed Egyptian/Italian and my languages set of skills which has helped me communicate with variety of different people of different society here in the student union.
I’ve also brought my knowledge and love of music, photography, philosophy, fine arts and martial arts to the event. (love for cultures)
I’ve engaged in different competitions and hackathons to enrich my concept development and IT Skills.

Currently, I am a Student Ambassador and Volunteer Ambassador at the University of Salford, I am also the Vice-Chair of SSSA (Salford student Society of Architects). As a confident, patient and friendly individual, I work with students as a mentor for my undergrad students who I mentor on a weekly base. I’ve been providing good advice and guide my mentees into better qualification results if they need clarity or help in achieving their goals.

I’ve also volunteered with children; supervising on different trips and arranging play days.
Fostering a love of learning at an early stage can help students overcome learning barriers that they face. I have a real passion for providing students with the opportunities they need in order to flourish academically and personally. Being the eldest of three, I have grown a desire to enable students to reach their potential at the pace that they are comfortable with, whilst also providing them a safe space to aim higher.

I have been a confidant and a safety net support to many of my students over the years; mentoring them has been the most rewarding experience in my life.

Within the community, I’ve been a regular volunteer with homeless kitchens in Stockport and Oldham. I am a volunteer to Manchester Pride and a committee member, I have been helping the local community with gardening. I am also a volunteer with an organisation called W.E.L Safe to help young people with Mental Health needs and different addictions.

As an Ambassador for ABS, I want to support others finding their voice. I want to support the community to speak up and I want to support them by listening and by providing creative individuals with a space they feel secure, safe to be their authentic selves and be transparent.

The architectural industry focuses on addressing and solving issues involving design and the built environment. But the needs and challenges that communities face should be taken more seriously. ABS certainly achieves a positive impact by supporting the community in this aspect, and I look up to that. It is inspiring to see ABS addressing issues that affect not only the architectural community but all communities, specifically with financial and mental health care. The support provided through the architectural lens strongly resonated with me.

I have always had an interest in the built environment and the impact it has on communities. Throughout my journey in education, my interest in design within the built environment flourished as I worked on my academic projects to address community needs. As a graduate seeking the next stage in my architectural career, joining ABS will allow me to contribute to positive change by having a platform through ABS to spread awareness and offer my time to support in any way I can.