LSI Architects announces appointment of four new Associate Directors to senior management team in commitment to ‘growing their own’ talent

Norwich and London based architectural practice LSI Architects has announced the appointment of four new Associate Directors to its senior management team. Architects Rob Ruffles, David Bannister and Louise Knights and Architectural Technologist Steven Cotton have all been promoted to Associate Director. The four new Associate Directors are each examples of LSI Architects commitment to ‘growing their own’, whereby the practice seeks to recruit people at the beginning of their careers and develop talent internally through making significant investments in its team. The approach has seen LSI Architects recognised as one of the best employers in the construction industry through initiatives such as Best Companies To Work For (previously the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies To Work For) and the Best Employers Eastern Region programme. The practice has also recently been named a finalist in the Architects Journals’ AJ100 Employer of the Year Award. The Associate Director role will see each of Rob, David, Louise and Steven build on their experience of managing teams to deliver projects as well as introducing responsibilities such as business development & leading projects as a Project Director. Current Director Rupert Kitchen commented: “Rob, David, Louise and Steven have all shown that they are ready to take their next steps towards leading our business. These promotions to Associate Director are recognition that each of them have been instrumental in establishing successful relationships with a number of clients and are now leading teams within the practice, always supporting their colleagues with fairness, empathy and demonstrating a selflessness with their time and energies to manage the demands of projects and protect their teams. As the current leaders of the business we have made a conscious decision to succeed ourselves from within – this is our ‘grow our own’ mantra. A huge amount of effort goes into developing our people, combined with significant investment, but we remain totally committed to continuing our philosophy which has seen us recognised as one of the best employers in the construction industry, something we are extremely proud of. Rob, David, Louise and Steven all initially joined us at the outset of their careers and have been supported through their professional qualifications. We are so pleased to be able to share this news which evidences that we are succeeding in our ambition to ‘grow our own’. Chief Executive Officer Ben Goode commented: “It’s been a challenging time to be operating in the construction industry, with so much uncertainty around, but this announcement is testament to the fact that we are looking forwards to the year ahead with a real sense of optimism. Our forward look relating to projects is the best it has ever been and this is in large part because of the commitment the business has to developing its people. We know that Rob, David, Louise and Steven will play a key role in this success by leading their teams and reinforcing relationships with our clients and we wish them every success in their new roles.” New Associate Director Steven Cotton commented: “Since joining LSI Architects as a trainee in 2008, I have enjoyed nothing but support from so many generous and talented people across the business and I know Rob, Louise and David say the same. We are now all excited to be continuing our own development and take on new responsibilities but, first and foremost, we are excited by the opportunity to pay back all of the support that we have received to develop people across the business so that we can continue to actively grow our own.” Each of Rob, David, Louise and Steven have been key to the realisation of many notable projects across the region with specific examples including the soon-to-be-completed Priscilla Bacon Hospice, UTC Norfolk, Norwich City’s Lotus Academy building at Colney as well as numerous projects at the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn. In addition to LSI Architects’ four new Associate Directors, Architect Chris Lappin and Marketing Manager Karl Brooks have been promoted to Associate. Norwich City Football Club’s Lotus Academy Building Image of Priscilla Bacon Hospice which is currently under construction Hickling House and Barton House Student Residences at the University of East Anglia The LSI Architects team at Norwich Cathedral