Mace unveils Pride 2024 installation of 30,000 lucky stars

Mace is marking Pride Month with a Lucky Star installation, displayed at its global headquarters, which has been unveiled at a ceremony attended by women’s rights campaigner and former MP Siân James.

The installation is a wooden structure holding 66 Perspex tubes each filled with thousands of star-shaped origami pieces in the progress flag colours. Each of the approximately 30,000 ‘Lucky Stars’ were handmade by some of Mace’s more than 7,000 global construction and consultancy experts.

The stars represent love and good luck in Japanese folklore and some of the origami came from as far away as Hong Kong and Iceland. The origami pieces were transported to London by those who were already travelling for business purposes.

Pride month is celebrated every June by the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, allowing everyone to embrace and accept diversity. Mace’s installation is a testament to this cause, celebrating collective empowerment, aligned values and acceptance.

The month marks a time in which to consider and discuss LGBTQ+ challenges, a particularly important topic for the construction industry with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) reporting that 60% of LGBTQ+ employees have experienced homophobic and derogatory terms at work. Further, the Institute says that more than a third of LGBTQ+ staff in Britian have disguised their identity at work, through fear of discrimination.

Mace’s 2026 Business Strategy outlines the aspiration to become the most inclusive employer of choice in the industry. As part of this, the “Pride at Mace” employee resource group - which champions the LGTBQ+ agenda - is dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all employees.

The installation will be displayed in the lobby of the Mace global headquarters at 155 Moorgate for the month of June and each tube of stars will be distributed to those involved as a keepsake.

Andrew Jackson, Chief Operating Officer of Mace Construct, said:

“Following on from the success of the Unity Installation that we unveiled for Pride 2023 and the hard hat display of 2022, we have gone even further this year with this Mace Lucky Stars sculpture.

“As a business, we know there are untold benefits of a truly diverse workforce. This installation marks our commitment to Pride Month – but we know this is only the start and that more needs to be done.

“We are dedicated to becoming the most inclusive employer of choice in our industry and remain committed to ensuring we continue to attract talent from all walks of life.”

Siân James, women’s rights campaigner and former MP, said:

“I have had the honour of working with and representing many people during my working life, always with dignity and respect, and I am overjoyed to be able to unveil Mace’s Lucky Stars installation to mark Pride Month 2024.

“In my career, I have experienced the most amazing acts of solidarity, in many different places, over the last 40 years. When it comes to the LGBTQ+ community, I cannot overstate how lucky my local community was when we twinned with Lesbian and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) during the 1984 Miner’s Strike. I am thrilled that our relationship still flourishes and continues to grow – it is a true testament to the values that Pride Month represents.

“The continuing flourishing relationship with LGSM is a truly uplifting experience, where two communities - seemingly with nothing in common – have discovered a solidarity and warmth that remains as relevant today as it did then. I have every intention of carrying on campaigning for the rights of people from all walks of life, well into the future.”

Angela Li, Co-Chair of Pride at Mace, said:

“It is heart breaking that so many LGBTQ+ people have had to hide their true selves in the workplace. By unveiling this installation at our London headquarters, made collaboratively with global colleagues, Mace has proven itself to be a safe and supportive employer. I truly feel safe being my true authentic self at Mace.

“This sculpture represents the aspirations of Mace and provides a very poignant space for colleagues and clients to visit to reflect on the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ colleagues throughout the industry.”

Mace is further marking Pride Month 2024 by taking part in the Pride in London Parade (as part of Building Equality) as well as hosting internal events for employees.

Mace would like to thank Gidding & Son Ltd and Lucas Finishing Specialists who gave incredible support and assistance for this installation.