Our People

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  Abigail Patel

  Architect

  Abigail is an Architect who has worked with Buttress since graduating with distinction from the Manchester School of Architecture.

  She is actively involved with the RIBA; formerly a student representative on the RIBA NW council as well as holding the role of Co-Vice President of students and associates on the RIBA National Council. She also helped established the Future Architects Network - a representative student body to create, drive and deliver an agenda setting out how architectural education should be focused in the UK.

  Abigail is particularly interested in the topic of mental health and wellbeing within the industry; a passion that is supported by her role as an ambassador for the Architects Benevolent Society.

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  Adam Lewis

  Architect

  Adam is an Architect currently working in our ecclesiastical and heritage team. He is passionate about contextual contemporary design within the historic environment as well as sympathetic conservation and restoration. He is currently working on a number of significant grant funded projects in the studio and plays a key role in developing dynamic and sensitive design proposals for a variety of heritage projects.

  Adam is also passionate about education and engagement, and works with multiple organisations to help improve representation and encourage diversity and inclusion within the architectural industry through primary, secondary and higher student education programmes.

  Adam was also nominated for a RIBA President Medal for his Masters thesis project in 2018.

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  Adam Southern

  Senior Technician

  Adam is a skilled architectural technician, with experience spanning multiple sectors. He joined Buttress in October 2019 and is currently involved in a number of residential projects.

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  Alex Scrimshaw

  Senior Technologist

  Alex is an experienced Architectural Technologist working within the historic buildings team. He has worked on many projects assessing condition and drawing technical detail for repairs, and manages technical design on significant adaptation and re-modelling of listed buildings projects including, museums and heritage sites.

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  Alison Abbott

  Accounts Manager

  Our Accounts Manager, Alison manages credit control and supports our accountants and finance manager. A founding member of the practice's running club, she also organises our annual staff trip and social events.

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  Alison Haigh

  Associate

  Alison has 20 years’ experience specialising in the residential sector. During this time, she has led multi-disciplinary teams on all stages in the design and development of residential high-rise including refurbishment and new build for registered social landlords, private developers and contractor clients.

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  Andy Avery

  Director

  Andy graduated from Oxford School of Architecture in 1986 with honours in both architecture and in urban design. He has operated at board level within the profession since 1996 and has specific involvement in health, community, education and residential sectors.

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  Ben Tabiner

  Associate

  Ben is an experienced architect within our education team. He leads projects from concept and detailed design, to management and delivery on site. Prior to joining Buttress, Ben was involved with concept and sample school design within the BSF process and applies that knowledge and experience to live projects for our clients.

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  Chithra Marsh

  Associate Director

  Chithra joined Buttress's senior management team in early 2018, bringing more than 20 years' experience in commercial practice. She has specialised in business development and client liaison roles and, in addition to running her own projects, she is responsible for developing and delivering the practice's business development strategy.

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  Christopher Nils-Shaw

  Architectural Assistant

  Christopher is a Part I Architectural Assistant and recent graduate from the University of Huddersfield.

  A talented designer, Christopher received recognition during his studies with a number of academic and design awards. This includes receiving the University of Huddersfield's Highest Achievement Award in his first year, the Nicholas Ulanowsky Award for Detail in Design, and the Third Year External Examiners Prize. He was also shortlisted for the RIBA’s North East & Yorkshire Student Award for his final year project.

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  Christopher Whelan

  Studio Principal

  Chris is one of our senior design team. His extensive experience includes designs for some of the country’s leading independent schools, various community, sports and leisure projects, residential designs, and urban design/masterplanning exercises.

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  Clare Matthews

  Architect

  Clare is an Architect in Buttress' residential team. A new member of the team Clare joins us with experience of significant high rise residential and student residential schemes, as well as arenas and the renovation of listed modernist offices. She is particularly skilled at communicating design through beautiful, considered drawings, and enjoys sharing her knowledge and passion for architecture by participating in the RIBA North West Student Mentoring scheme, helping aspiring architects in their career development.

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  David Coulson

  Senior Architect

  David joined Buttress in 2002 and has a wide mix of experience with a focus on education, commercial and cultural projects. He is a talented designer and his rigorous attention to detail has been applied with considerable success to several important commissions. These have included new build projects and contemporary adaptations of historic and sensitive sites.

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  Edward Kepczyk

  Associate

  Edward works within the studio's ecclesiastical and heritage teams. He has extensive experience of projects involving the sensitive repair, refurbishment and reuse of listed buildings, which includes some of the country's most significant historic sites.

  He is also a member of SPAB, a full member of the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association, and a Churches Conservation Trust Term Architect.

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  Emily Green

  Architect

  Emily is an Architect with experience that ranges from small residential schemes through to large scale industrial masterplans.

  She has a keen interest in conservation and restoration work and is currently developing her skills and experience within the practice's heritage team.

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  Fran Llombart

  Architect

  Fran works within the studio’s residential team where he has been involved in a broad range of schemes from city centre apartments developments to large scale urban renewal projects. This includes acting as a key member of the team for the regeneration of Brunswick, a £113 million scheme covering a significant area of inner-city Manchester.

  He has a keen eye for detail and adopts a careful and considered approach, delivering work that creates something special for clients and end-users alike.

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  Francesca Mainman

  Communications Manager

  Francesca helps deliver our social media and communication plans. With experience working on large PR campaigns, she is responsible for raising our profile in the media as well as supporting with other marketing activity.

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  Gavin Sorby

  Managing Director

  Gavin has been with the practice since qualifying in 1988. He has seen the practice grow from just eight people to the AJ100 listed practice it is today and has been Managing Director since 2011. He is an APM qualified project manager and has worked in a number of sectors within the Practice with a specific focus on commercial work and hospitality.

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  Gemma Copp

  Architectural Assistant

  Gemma is a Part II Architectural Assistant working within the practice's residential team. Since joining, she has been involved in the design of a number of large-scale housing and regeneration schemes.

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  Grace Avery

  Studio Manager

  Grace provides valuable admin support to teams across the office in addition to overseeing the studio's daily operations. Outside of the office, she runs her own online fashion business.

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  Grant Prescott

  Associate

  Grant is an AABC accredited architect, who focuses on the restoration and redevelopment of historic and listed buildings. He has the ability to translate theory and design intent into practical and workable solutions and is experienced in working on complex historic sites.

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  Gwenno Jones

  Associate

  Gwenno is an experienced architect with a great balance of technical ability, project running and client management. She has worked on a wide range of projects from conception to completion and has significant experience of working with complex briefs and buildings such as law courts and listed building projects.

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  Heather Mason

  Architect

  Heather has recently joined Buttress and is an architect with experience of significant residential, commercial and heritage schemes across the UK. Outside of the practice she is a RIBA student mentor working with students from Manchester University.

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  Ilaria Braghiroli

  Senior Architect

  Ilaria is a qualified architect and masters graduate from the Bologna University, where she studied both architecture and engineering. She first joined Buttress in 2014 to complete a three-month EU-month funded placement at Buttress, later returning to become an integral part of the practice’s residential team.

  Since working at Buttress, she has been involved in a number of successful housing schemes, most notably the development of Timekeepers Square, which received a prestigious RIBA North West Award in 2017.

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  Jenna Johnston

  Senior Heritage Consultant

  Jenna is a Senior Heritage Consultant whose work providing a range of research, insight and understanding of heritage and significance offers clients informed conservation guidance and design solutions on a range of historic building projects.

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  Jennifer Evans

  Architect

  Jennifer is an architect with experience spanning the residential, retirement living, sports and leisure sectors. At Buttress, she is currently part of the team delivering The Depot, a large-scale housing and regeneration project in Manchester's Moss Side.

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  Jenny Etheridge

  Architect

  Jenny is a recently qualified architect who works within our historic buildings team, dealing with projects that involve the restoration and creative reuse of heritage assets.

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  Ken Smith

  Studio Principal

  Ken has a wide range of experience including new build and heritage, commercial, industrial and leisure projects. This includes leading a major programme of work to the Grade I listed St George’s Hall in his hometown of Liverpool.

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  Kim Corrall

  Senior Architect

  Kim is an architect with experience of running significant projects in the UK and abroad. At Buttress, she works within our historic buildings team where she applies her skills in design and adaptation to projects, with the added complexity and value of listed buildings and sensitive sites.

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  Kyle Entwistle

  Architectural Assistant

  Kyle is a Part I Architectural Assistant and recent graduate from Sheffield Hallam University. He is currently working within the practice's heritage team where he is supporting a number of projects that involve the creative reuse and restoration of historic buildings and places.

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  Lauren Gabbitas

  Architectural Assistant

  Lauren Gabbitas is part of our Arts, Culture and Heritage team where she is currently supporting the team on the re-development of the Grade I listed Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library in Preston. Her past experience includes a broad range of new build, conservation and refurbishment projects.

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  Lee Bowen

  Architectural Assistant

  After completing an internship with the practice, Lee joined the practice on a full time basis, becoming an integral part of our Arts, Culture and Heritage team. He is currently working on a diverse range of projects involving the conservation of some of the country's most significant historic sites.

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  Lee Higgins

  Architect

  Lee is an experienced Architect within our residential team who has previously been involved in projects in the UK, Japan and China, ranging from cultural heritage sites to high rise residential. As an established project runner he has gained working experience developing Strategic Regeneration Frameworks through to project delivery of residential led developments. Lee has the ability to resolve complex issues, and develop and communicate strong ideas with clarity.

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  Liam Briggs

  Architectural Technologist

  Liam is a architectural technologist working within the practice's residential team. He is currently supporting on the development of a large mixed use scheme which forms part of the ongoing redevelopment of Chapel Street in Salford.

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  Liz Jackson

  Associate

  Liz leads our marketing and bid management process.

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  Lucy Ashcroft

  Architect

  Lucy is a creative architect who combines her lifelong passion for drawing, in particular urban space and the built environment, with her in-depth knowledge of building conservation and urban regeneration. Joining Buttress in May 2016, Lucy is part of our heritage team and supports conservation projects.

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  Lucy Brackenbury

  Senior Architect

  Lucy is an enthusiastic and creative architect who works on residential and commercial projects. She has a broad background experience and applies strong technical ability to all that she does.

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  Martin Kirkpatrick

  Associate

  Martin is an Associate whose rigorous design ethos is applied to all projects from inception to completion. Experienced in most sectors, he has focused on high end and multi-unit residential as well as commercial office and, more recently, hospitality projects, including the interior architecture of the Innside Manchester on the First Street development and the Cransmontana hotel in Switzerland.

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  Matthew Burl

  Associate Director

  Matthew is a skilled designer with more than 20 years' industry experience. During his career, he has delivered numerous new build, refurbishment, strategic masterplan projects both regionally and internationally, developing a specialism in the design of academic and research led environments.

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  Mike Guy

  Senior Architect

  Mike joined Buttress in 2019 and has a wide mix of experience with a focus on commercial and residential projects. A natural leader, Mike applies a rigorous attention to detail and brings his considerable experience to play on projects across the studio, currently focusing on residential work.

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  Neal Charlton

  Director

  Neal joined Buttress in 1999 and is an AABC accredited architect who has undertaken a series of projects with modern interventions to historic settings that include Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

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  Nicholas Rank

  Director

  Nick is recognised as one of the leading architects on historic and ecclesiastical buildings in the country and holds a number of individual consultancy roles including, Architect and Surveyor to Lincoln Cathedral, St Marie’s RC Cathedral in Sheffield, Carlisle Cathedral and Southwell Minster.

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  Olivia Marshall

  Architectural Assistant

  A skilled designer, Olivia holds a first class degree in architecture and received a distinction for her masters studies. She joined Buttress in March to work within our residential team.

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  Patrick Boyd

  Architect

  Patrick is an Architect working within the practice's residential team.

  He is interested in the balance between historic architecture and contemporary design. During his Part I experience he worked on a large masterplan scheme in East London, looking at the sensitive redevelopment of existing heritage buildings with the addition of contemporary residential and commercial units.

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  Paul Nelson

  Architect

  Paul joined Buttress in late 2019, bringing with him experience gained across the residential, education and healthcare sectors. This includes a number of significant projects involving the restoration of large mill complexes into residential-led, mixed use developments.

  He is passionate about expanding the use of BIM in the delivery of such projects and is experienced in the implementation of Revit as a tool for coordinated design and surveying.

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  Paul Thornborough

  BIM Manager

  Paul joined Buttress with more than 20 years' experience in the industry. During his career, he has developed particular expertise in the use of new technologies within architecture and has previously held BIM co-ordinator roles within some of the UK’s largest architecture and property firms. At Buttress he is responsible for developing and implementing the practice's BIM strategy and capabilities.

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  Paul Wright

  Architectural Assistant

  A graduate of the Manchester School of Architecture, Paul joined Buttress in February 2021 to work in our residential team. He has a wide range of past experience, which includes large scale masterplans, sports and leisure facilities, PRS schemes, offices and educational re-use projects.

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  Peter Levers

  Architectural Technologist

  Peter is an experienced Architectural Technologist who joined us having worked on a number of significant and highly sensitive projects for the MOD.

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  Samantha Gill

  Architect

  Samantha is an experienced architect working within our historic buildings team. She has been involved in a number of projects involving the restoration, re-use and protection of significant heritage assets across the country. This includes leading major redevelopment and conservation projects such as the Grade II* listed Welsh Baptist Chapel in Manchester. She has a particular interest in the application of sustainable design principles to historic buildings projects and works with clients and colleagues to apply this to our work.

  She is an affiliate member of the IHBC and sits on its the North West branch events committee.

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  Samantha Knights

  Architect

  Samantha is an experienced Architect who enjoys delivering design solutions for complex projects involving new build and heritage buildings, cultivating a confident and sensitive approach to design. Samantha is also an RIBA mentor.

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  Shaadi Karimi

  Architect

  Prior to joining Buttress, Shaadi worked for a number of large architectural practices where she was involved in significant new-build offices, housing and mixed-use schemes; experience that she is currently applying within the practice's residential and workplace teams.

  Shaadi has a keen interest in travel and international design. During her masters degree she completed design and masterplanning projects based on a study visit to Porto Alegre in Brazil.

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  Stephen Anderson

  Director

  Stephen, an architect since 2003, also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Architectural Conservation and is a National Lottery Heritage Fund Mentor. He is a key member of our historic buildings team and has promoted the adoption of BIM in the practice; applying this in his own team to existing and historic building redevelopment projects.

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  Stephen Welsh

  Studio Principal

  Stephen will be a familiar face to many of our ecclesiastical clients, with whom he has worked for over 30 years' on restoration and conservation projects. He has exemplary attention to detail and leads the technical detail and delivery of conservation and restoration projects to churches and Cathedrals of all grades.

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  Steve Wardle

  Senior Architectural Technologist

  Steve is an Architectural Technologist currently working within the historic buildings team, but with wider experience of new build and adaptation. He has experience of working on a variety of projects involving existing and listed buildings, has completed several major projects at significant historic sites. Steve is experienced in a number of software packages, including BIM.

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  Tammy Welz

  Architect

  During her time at Buttress, Tammy has gained experience working across a broad range of projects from hotel developments to city centre apartment schemes. To each project, she brings a passion for well-executed, beautiful and practical design.

  Prior to joining the stuido, Tammy spent three years in South Africa, working for a practice that specialised in luxury family homes, an experience which she credits with her interest in the cultural and environmental influences on design outcomes

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