Derby-based architectural and urban design practice Lathams has appointed a new managing director as part of a major re-structuring of the business.
The change sees founder Derek Latham step away from the day-to-day running of Lathams for the first time since he started the company 30 years ago.
In his place, Chris Twomey has been promoted to managing director – just one change in a series of measures designed to help Lathams continue to prosper through the challenging years ahead for the construction industry.
Explaining the reasons for the changes, Derek said: “Since I founded Lathams in 1980, we have all been proud of its success as it has grown steadily from its Derby home to win acclaim and awards for work across the UK in a wide range of sectors, from historic buildings and waterside development to commercial and leisure schemes, new schools and social housing.
“However, over the next few years we are anticipating big changes in all these areas, whether it is the ‘New Schools’ programme or simply the desire for more focus on better value from everyone involved in the design and construction process.
“Changes nationally, politically and economically, bring new challenges and new opportunities, so now seems the ideal time to harness the management skills of my senior colleagues and promote the skill and ability of our younger staff.
“This will make sure that Lathams is ready to grow out of the recession into both existing and new markets.”
Derek will continue his active involvement with the business that bears his name, both as chairman and as an active architect, masterplanner and urban designer. The day-to-day running of the business, meanwhile, will pass to new MD Chris Twomey and his two fellow directors, Stuart Hodgkinson and Jon Phipps.
Chris Twomey joined Lathams in 2003 and was made a director in 2006. An architect with wide private and public sector experience, he specialises in areas including social housing, urban renewal and waterside development. Looking at the range of changes that are being made at Lathams following his appointment as MD, he highlights his priorities as sustainability and the integration of architecture, urban design and landscape architecture.
“The issue of sustainability is central to the many challenges that the design and construction industries face both now and in the coming years,” Chris explained.
“It means we need to continue to think creatively about how we re-use existing buildings, which is very much part of Lathams’ DNA, as well as creating inspirational new low energy/low carbon buildings which respond thoughtfully to client needs and local context.
“The other priority at Lathams is the ongoing integration of architecture with urban design and landscape architecture to make distinct and special places. This again has always been a core strength of the practice, but it is going to be more important than ever in our increasingly competitive world.
“Whether we are regenerating towns and cities, developing brownfield sites with contemporary new buildings or conserving or remodelling existing buildings, all of these skills need to be brought together to create integrated, efficient and successful buildings and spaces that are capable of delivering on the whole sustainability agenda.
“By creating flexible, inter-disciplinary teams for our work, and by continuing to focus our training and recruitment on the breadth of skills required for this, Lathams is firmly committed to that challenge.”
