International Women’s Day 2026: The Importance of Mentoring
This International Women’s Day, Ryder Architecture shares the recent mentoring practices and initiatives our people have led to create a more inclusive built environment.
Mentoring is a valuable opportunity that facilitates learning, development, and support for all. Mentoring relationships are different for everyone, but there are strong foundations to make the journey as successful, productive and fulfilling for both parties as possible.
The built environment industry is not unique in its complex, ever changing and often overwhelming nature – particularly for those starting out in practice. Having a trusted advisor who has their own experiences to learn from is invaluable. Mentors also play a key role when people take on new challenges – whether that’s a complex project, a leadership role, or a practice wide initiative.
Through our own mentor programme, we find that mentees gain confidence, connections and skills through these interactions. On the other side, mentors can contribute to the next generation of designers, develop leadership skills and see new perspectives.
We also recognise the value of external mentoring, particularly for women in senior roles and those who want a different viewpoint from outside the business. Sourcing these opportunities where required by our people is a key output from our Gender Diversity Task and Finish group (T+F group) which many have benefitted from. Another strand in contributing to female mentoring is industry mentoring programmes. So far, Ryder is involved with include the Social Mobility Foundation, RIBA Future Architects Student Mentoring, Mentor Mums, and The Girls’ Network.
What our people say
Sophie Walker, associate at Ryder, is part of the gender diversity T+F group and led the initiative to encourage wider mentoring from internal and external female leaders. Sophie said: “Through my involvement with the Association of Women in Property, I knew there were external mentoring schemes out there and we researched several more – ranging from annual programmes such as those run by Women in Architecture, to more bespoke one to one coaching, to ensure we could offer appropriate options for different requirements.
“External mentoring is now available as a training request which many colleagues have accessed since commencement in July 2024. Implementing simple changes in our practice which support and empower colleagues is really rewarding and it’s fantastic to hear how this is positively impacting people’s careers.”
Francesca Harrison, associate at Ryder, led the group. Commenting on its progress, Fran said: “ The work completed by the gender diversity T+F group has helped to address the perceived barriers women experience when progressing into leadership. Being able to provide mentoring from external female leaders gives colleagues an opportunity to gain different insights and a wider perspective which we hope will promote diversity in leadership at Ryder.
Hilary I’Anson, architectural director at Ryder, added: “Mentoring at Ryder has played a pivotal role in my career development, particularly in helping me build leadership skills and confidently navigate key career aspirations. Through engaging with external mentors, I’ve gained invaluable insight from successful women who are leading the way in architecture, whose openness and experience have strengthened both my professional capability and self belief. This opportunity has reinforced what is possible and provided tangible examples of different leadership styles.
“Mentoring schemes like this are an important way of nurturing the next generation of talent in industries such as architecture, where women are still underrepresented at leadership level. Being part of this network has not only supported my own progression but has also inspired me to contribute to a culture that actively empowers and elevates others.”
The next generation
Ryder recently co hosted a mentoring event in partnership with Narrative Practice, an award winning mentoring platform focused on improving representation in the built environment, and Change the Record, a RIBA initiative working to improve equality, diversity and inclusion in architectural education and practice.
The event brought Narrative Practice’s mentoring sessions outside of London to the first time to Newcastle upon Tyne. Students on architecture and built environment courses from Gateshead College and PlanBEE (Built Environment Education), Northumbria University and Newcastle University joined conversations with matched mentors in professional positions across the industry.
Watch the event recap
