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Our values and purpose

Arup’s shared values, like our firm’s name, are derived from the beliefs and convictions of our founder, the engineer and philosopher Sir Ove Arup.
Arup’s shared values, like our firm’s name, are derived from the beliefs and convictions of our founder, the engineer and philosopher Sir Ove Arup.

Sir Ove believed work was only valuable when it had something higher to strive for. We continue to embody that idea – that our work is truly profitable when it shapes a better world. Today, across the world, our people use their skills and expertise to help us reach for greater goals.

Our decisions and actions are intended to produce safe, inclusive and resilient communities, infrastructure and cities. We also recognise that sustainable development encompasses many different factors. So, our work also prioritises environmental regeneration, biodiversity, conservation of resources, stable economic growth and social progress.

Equal. Diverse. Inclusive.

We believe in fair treatment for all. As an ever-growing worldwide community of talented practitioners, the diversity of our people is central to our success. Find out how our nine commitments are leading to an Arup that gives all our people a voice.

Read our commitments

Striving for something higher

On 9 July 1970 in Winchester, Sir Ove delivered 'The Key Speech' to all his partners from the various practices. In this speech Ove set out the aims of our firm and, in his own distinctive and philosophical way, identified the principles by which they might be achieved.

The aims and principles laid out by Sir Ove represent our values. These values are our guide to how we deal with our clients and the work that we do.

Quality of work
Total Architecture
Humane organisation
Straight and honourable dealings
Social usefulness
Reasonable prosperity

Quality of work

“

Our work should be interesting and rewarding. Only a job done well, as well as we can do it – and as well as it can be done – is that. We must therefore strive for quality in what we do, and never be satisfied with the second-rate. Sir Ove Arup

Total architecture

“

‘Total Architecture’ implies that all relevant design decisions have been considered together and have been integrated into a whole by a well organised team empowered to fix priorities. Sir Ove Arup

Humane organisation

“

An organisation which is human and friendly despite being large and efficient. Where every member is treated not only as a link in a chain of command, or as a wheel in a bureaucratic machine, but as a human being whose happiness is the concern of all. Sir Ove Arup

Straight and honourable dealings

“

We should act honourably in our dealings with our own and other people. We should eschew nepotism or discrimination on the basis of nationality, religion, race, colour or sex – basing such discrimination as there must be on ability and character. Sir Ove Arup

Social usefulness

“

A social conscience, a wish to do socially useful work, and to join hands with others fighting for the same values. Our pursuit of quality should in itself be useful. Sir Ove Arup

Reasonable prosperity

“

Most people would say that this is our main aim, this is why we are in business. But it would be wrong to look at it as our main aim. We should rather look at it as an essential prerequisite for even the partial fulfilment of any of our aims Sir Ove Arup

Quality of work

Quality of work

“

Our work should be interesting and rewarding. Only a job done well, as well as we can do it – and as well as it can be done – is that. We must therefore strive for quality in what we do, and never be satisfied with the second-rate. Sir Ove Arup

Total Architecture

Total architecture

“

‘Total Architecture’ implies that all relevant design decisions have been considered together and have been integrated into a whole by a well organised team empowered to fix priorities. Sir Ove Arup

Humane organisation

Humane organisation

“

An organisation which is human and friendly despite being large and efficient. Where every member is treated not only as a link in a chain of command, or as a wheel in a bureaucratic machine, but as a human being whose happiness is the concern of all. Sir Ove Arup

Straight and honourable dealings

Straight and honourable dealings

“

We should act honourably in our dealings with our own and other people. We should eschew nepotism or discrimination on the basis of nationality, religion, race, colour or sex – basing such discrimination as there must be on ability and character. Sir Ove Arup

Social usefulness

Social usefulness

“

A social conscience, a wish to do socially useful work, and to join hands with others fighting for the same values. Our pursuit of quality should in itself be useful. Sir Ove Arup

Reasonable prosperity

Reasonable prosperity

“

Most people would say that this is our main aim, this is why we are in business. But it would be wrong to look at it as our main aim. We should rather look at it as an essential prerequisite for even the partial fulfilment of any of our aims Sir Ove Arup

Today the ‘The Key Speech’ is required reading for each person who joins Arup and is valuable to anyone who wants to understand what continues to motivate us, both as individuals and as an organisation.

Publication

Ove Arup Key Speech

Required reading for each person who joins Arup, the Key Speech sets out our aims and the principles by which they might be achieved.

 Download
Ove Arup Key Speech

Arup Fellows – celebrating excellence

Fellowships celebrate those at the forefront of excellence at Arup. These individuals exemplify exceptional talent, technical excellence, vision and ingenuity – not just in our firm, but in the world.

Meet our Fellows

Through Arup Community Engagement, a team of our engineers have been providing technical support to UN and other NGOs working in Rohingya refugee camps

Engaging with communities

Our aims influence more than just our day-to-day work – they inspire us to look for greater outcomes from everything we do. Our community engagement programme is specifically aligned with what we call ‘social usefulness’. One way we demonstrate usefulness is by pursuing projects, initiatives and partnerships which improve the lives of those most in need.