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British Chamber of Commerce Singapore awards Arup for its commitment to people, workplace and culture

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Trish Sunga Trish Sunga Australasia Press Office,Sydney
20 October 2021

The British Chamber of Commerce Singapore has announced the best businesses for 2021 with our Singapore office emerging as dual winner for the Employer of the Year and Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year Awards.  

Now in their 22nd year, the Annual Business Awards celebrate business excellence across Singapore and are an opportunity for firms to acknowledge their businesses, people and heroic efforts. 

In presenting the awards, the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore said, “Arup does not shy away from uncomfortable questions in the workplace. It continues to take steps from the global to local levels to promote a safe and inclusive workplace culture for all.” 

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This independent, employee-owned firm continues to be guided by its founding aims and values that set out to achieve socially valuable outcomes. People are why Arup exists, and how it lives out its purpose. ” British Chamber of Commerce, Singapore

While our business has evolved during our 50 years in Singapore, our people continue to be the core tenet of our strategy.  

The Employer of the Year Award recognises organisations that have created a stimulating and supportive work environment and have a genuine commitment to the welfare of its employees, resulting in high staff satisfaction levels and a well-motivated, ambitious and integrated workforce. 

Our success was centred on demonstrating clearly communicated pathways and opportunities for career advancement, and also in creating a supportive and inspiring workplace. As a firm, we have set out values and continue to design policies and programmes such as flexible working, mental health and wellbeing, and leadership to help our people flourish today and into the future.  

“It has no doubt been a testing time for businesses as we try to build back better from global challenges including the pandemic and climate crisis,” commented Singapore Office Leader, Tan Yoong Heng.  
 
“As an independent, employee-owned firm, Arup's strength is in our people and we remain committed to our people. We aspire to bring out our best through better workplace culture and policies to support our staff.”  

 
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This award goes to our clients, our collaborators, our people committees and to all 450 members in our Singapore office for striving towards our common purpose to shape a better world. ” Tan Yoong Heng Tan Yoong Heng Principal | Singapore Country Leader

The Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award recognises organisations which promote progressive equality and inclusion values, from the boardroom to the shop floor, and to the demonstrable benefit of all stakeholders.  

Arup’s success was underpinned by programmes promoting gender equality through awareness raising events and STEM programmes organised with our longstanding partners, as well as LGBTI, race inclusion, mental wellness and other initiatives measuring how included members feel and ensuring diverse voices are heard at the board level.  

“Arup's focus on diversity and inclusion started years ago, but we recognise that we are continually on a learning journey,” said Ayca Ozcanlar, Associate and D&I Committee Lead.  

“Awards such as this provide a platform to create both internal and external conversations to our firm around the importance of inclusion for all.” 

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Our multi-cultural and multi-racial diverse workforce brings differences and unique strengths to our work every day. By being committed to listen to and understand the lived experiences of our people, we continue to explore, challenge ourselves and find our blind spots to make Arup a safe, nurturing, and inclusive work environment. ” Ayca Ozcanlar Associate and D&I Committee Lead, Singapore

Read more about the Annual Business Awards.

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