Amy Martin, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Partner discusses how we can build better workplaces through active allyship
To celebrate International Allyship Day, I had the honour of co-facilitating our webinar “Allyship in Action – How Active Allyship Builds Better Workplaces” alongside my colleague Marina Leleko (Head of Learning, Leadership Development, and Inclusion).
We were joined by colleagues, partners, and peers from across the built environment to explore what allyship really means, why it matters, and, most importantly, what it looks like in practice.
Allyship isn’t a campaign or a catchphrase – it’s a skillset and a practice. It’s about showing up, not just when it’s easy or convenient, but especially when it’s hard or uncomfortable. Being an ally means choosing courage over comfort, and consistency over perfection. It’s not about having all the answers; it’s about being willing to listen, to learn, and to stand alongside others, even when the path isn’t clear.
Real allyship happens in the everyday moments: when we speak up, when we challenge bias, and when we make space for voices that are too often ignored.
We were honoured to be joined by three incredible speakers:
- Lee Chambers, Founder of Male Allies UK, who spoke about the role of male allyship in shaping culture in male-dominated industries
- James Cawley Jnr, disability rights advocate and Business Development Manager at the Irish Centre for Diversity, who shared how allyship can dismantle barriers and challenge exclusion
- Moninne Griffith, CEO of BeLonG To, who reflected on allyship as a collective force for social change and solidarity.
Together, we explored the Four Cs of Active Allyship: Curiosity, Courage, Commitment, and Consistency – a practical framework for turning good intentions into meaningful action.
As a follow-up, we’re delighted to launch our Active Allyship Toolkit, designed to help everyone embed allyship into their everyday work. Because inclusion doesn’t stop at the gates of any one company. It’s a shared responsibility, and it starts with showing up.
Please download our Active Allyship Toolkit below
