This future includes a new generation of leadership with the appointment of Dorian Proudfoot as Chief Executive.
“The conservation movement of the mid-20th century was so successful precisely because it focused on responding to changing needs,” says Proudfoot. “The world around us is dramatically different from the 1950s, and at DIA we do not want to stand still.”
“Our brand identity describes who we are becoming, but our founding principles and values remain unchanged. I see my role as a champion of innovation within the historic environment to deliver scholarly, creative and sustainable results for our clients and of course the people who benefit from the places we shape.”
The change comes after a year of turning promises into action. Last year we became B Corp certified, and our recently published Impact Report charts some of our significant achievements since then, including validating our net zero targets with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) and measuring our social impact by externally quantifying our Social Value output. Our website domain and email addresses have also now changed to dia.co.uk.
“Like any much-loved historic building, an organisation’s brand needs to evolve to ensure its continued vitality. For a 67-year-old practice with an enduring legacy, this needs to be handled with great care,” says Renée O’Drobinak, Head of Marketing and Communications.
“By focusing our energy on client research at the outset of the project, we were able to unlock improvements across the organisation, clarify what we stand for as practitioners and confidently communicate how we help our clients and collaborators during a moment of leadership succession.”
Sir Donald Insall’s motto has always been to ‘bring forth the best’. And we continue to carry this maxim with us today.