At Here, Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) is not a standalone initiative. It is embedded in how we build access, shape opportunity, and design the systems that support people to participate, progress and belong within our studio and across the creative industry.

We recognise that meaningful change happens through sustained action, informed by data, lived experience and reflection. Our focus has been on removing barriers, widening pathways into the industry, and building the internal knowledge and structures needed to support a fair and inclusive workplace.

Our Approach

We use a combination of stakeholder feedback, engagement data, policy review, and external partnerships to identify where we can make the most impact. These insights inform our JEDI action planning, which is reviewed and evolved as our understanding deepens.

Our recruitment practices are underpinned by a clear ED&I commitment statement. This commitment is supported by a comprehensive Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities Policy, developed collaboratively with our team and reviewed regularly to ensure it remains relevant and effective.

Breaking Barriers

To date, our JEDI actions focused on creating accessible routes into the creative industry, particularly for those underrepresented within it.

We evolved our long-running internship programme into a seasonal, year-round approach, designed to diversify entry points and reduce reliance on traditional academic pathways. This includes:

• Studio talks and tours to introduce young people to creative careers
• Portfolio review evenings to demystify industry expectations
• An open internship for candidates without a design degree (interviewed and offered in 2025, commencing February 2026), providing structured exposure across all studio disciplines

These changes reflect our ambition to tackle barriers to entry and support equitable access to creative careers.

Alongside this, we continued to invest in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) education and awareness within the studio, across all levels, recognising that inclusive environments depend on shared understanding, reflection and accountability.

Hand in Hand

We believe progress depends on creating space for conversation and challenge.

We work with organisations actively challenging inequity in the creative sector, including:

• D&AD Shift, supporting creatives without degree-level qualifications
• Creative Mentor Network, where our team has mentored young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds
• Design Futures (with LIFT and Capital City College Group), supporting paid internships at London Living Wage

In 2025, we collaborated with industry partners to widen participation and share knowledge, including:

• Portfolio speed review evening with creative community and mentoring platform – The Arena
• Partnership with Creative Lives in Progress to reach emerging talent

These partnerships allow us to contribute beyond our studio – sharing expertise, learning from lived experience, and helping shape a more representative creative industry.

What We’ve Learned

Some objectives previously framed as “future goals” are now recognised as ongoing commitments. These include:

• Continuous ED&I training and awareness-building
• Improving accessibility and understanding of benefits and support
• Promoting collective achievement and shared responsibility
• Regularly surveying and gathering data to monitor progress

Rather than treating these as milestones to complete, we now hold them as foundational practices that require sustained attention.

Designing Change, Together

We know there is no finish line. Designing change means listening carefully, acting thoughtfully, and staying open to challenge – within our studio and across the industry we help shape.

Our commitment is to keep building systems that widen access, support belonging, and allow people to thrive – while holding ourselves accountable for the impact of the choices we make.