Russell Yelland

Around the office

Around the office

With our team expanding, we are laser-focused on continuing to grow our knowledge base and sharing these professional learnings via more rigorous data capture. One opportunity for this has been in the recent establishment of our Sustainability Action Group.

Although in its infancy, this group will meet regularly to analyse data sets demonstrating the environmental sustainability performance of a selection of our existing projects. Insights will help to inform the future specifications and design decisions we make as a team. Stay tuned for some further reports on this development next year.

On the topic of insights and efficiencies, you might have heard we trialled a 9-day fortnight structure for the entire office in 2025. The trial period has now ended and we have embedded the change permanently into our ongoing practice. It has been a major boost to satisfaction levels, with structural work/life balance changes benefiting our entire team. In turn, the improved productivity benefits our clients. It’s safe to say this has been a huge success, even influencing the way some of our industry peers set their own office hours. We’ll share some more news on this structure in mid-2026 as we beta test tweaks.

Staff welcome the warmer weather with Springfest in November

1/1 Staff welcome the warmer weather with Springfest in November

Last month we took some time out as a newly expanded team to celebrate the annual R&Y Springfest! Our Director, Stewart, was a gracious host and it was a great chance to get together outside of work (we also finally got to see his own recently completed home renovation!) We’re all very much looking forward to summer and more opportunities to rest and recharge with friends and family.