IMA Architects’ Sofia Coviello has been named as an Apprentice of the Year Finalist in the East Midlands Chamber Enterprising Women Awards.
The Apprentice of the Year category recognises female apprentices working towards or having recently completed an apprenticeship in the past 12 months. This award is an acknowledgement of an apprentice’s commitment and ability to make a difference within the organisation they work in.
Sofia joined IMA Architects in March 2021 and has since experienced substantial personal and professional growth. Shortly after joining the IMA team, Sofia commenced the Level 7 Architectural Apprenticeship with the University of Nottingham.
Balancing full-time professional responsibilities with the demands of academic study has been one of her most significant yet rewarding challenges. This rigorous dual commitment has helped her to manage multiple complex responsibilities, which have been instrumental in shaping her into a more well-rounded practitioner.
As an apprentice at IMA, Sofia has progressed from supportive roles to leading design packages and managing client relationships. She has also taken a proactive role in supporting professional development across the practice through lunch-and-learn sessions and developing how-to-guides to help colleagues navigate evolving architectural tools and methodologies.
Alongside her academic development, Sofia’s professional experience at IMA has included contributing to the design and delivery of large-scale distribution centres, including multiple Lidl RDCs and a new cold-store facility for a leading UK-based frozen meal company.
IMA Architects have also been involved in the delivery of data centres in the UK, for which Sofia has taken a key role, working directly with contractors in a sector that is rapidly expanding due to the demands of digital infrastructure.
Talking about her apprenticeship and reflecting on the shortlisting, Sofia said: “The apprenticeship route at IMA has provided me with invaluable opportunities that would not have been available through a traditional educational pathway.
“It has enabled me to become qualified whilst gaining extensive practical experience, and to develop a robust network of industry professionals. Moreover, it has given me the confidence to assume leadership responsibilities and advocate for progress – whether through sustainable practice, digital transformation, or promoting inclusivity in the construction industry.
“Each of these achievements has contributed to my development as a competent and forward-thinking aspiring architect. I am very happy to have been named a finalist for the Enterprising Women Apprentice of the Year award for East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire). I’m excited for the future and am immensely grateful for the apprenticeship journey that has prepared me for the next stage in my professional career.”
The Enterprising Women Awards 2025 celebrate and showcase the successes of women in business that have taken place in the East Midlands region over the past year. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 26th September at Winstanley House in Leicester.
