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We are delighted to announce several promotions for the New Year.
Our Yorkshire Studios are celebrating the promotion of Alex Proctor to Partner as well as Daniel Wallace and Heather Murgatroyd, who have both been promoted to Associate. Milton Keynes based Alistair Wilkinson and Seb Smart, based at the Northamptonshire Office, are also celebrating being appointed as Associates, whilst Leo Bourke and Shannon Walker, based at the Newcastle Studio, have both been promoted to Senior Architects.
Alex Proctor has played a crucial role in the Practice’s regional growth which has included the opening of their Leeds Studio which celebrated its first anniversary in the Summer. Alex is passionate about exploring innovation and progressive ways of working and does so through his role of Education Lead for Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber and as the lead of the GSS internal Artificial Intelligence Innovation Group.
Chartered Architect, Daniel Wallace, joined the team in 2022 and has proven himself to be a formidable force when leading projects and forming relationships with clients. Following a year long sabbatical in 2023, Daniel returned to GSS and has since worked on many high-profile projects with The University of York and the MRI/CT Diagnostics Project for York Hospital.
Having joined the Practice in 2010, Heather Murgatroyd has led on a diverse range of projects, including the forthcoming NETA facility at Stockton College and the refurbishment of the Grade II* listed Bishop Cosin’s Library for Durham University. In addition to her role as Associate and Chartered Architectural Technologist, Heather also heads up the GSS Revit steering group and is responsible for promoting continuous improvement and BIM innovation on our projects.
Since joining the practice in 2023 as a Senior Architect, Alistair Wilkinson has built upon his considerable experience and portfolio. He has had the opportunity to work on a varied array of projects and sectors at different work stages, including the £12.5M Net Carbon Zero in Operation extension to Bedford Academy and residential projects including Blackbird Leys in Oxford. He is part of the Sustainability Innovation Group and will be joining the Continuous Improvement Group in the New Year, as well as working toward becoming a Principal Designer for High Risk Buildings.
Seb Smart is a skilled and approachable Chartered Architect and Principal Designer who has been with us since 2015. Having completed his training through GSS, Seb has also recently been added to the RIBA competency register for Principal Designers including Higher-Risk Buildings, being the first in the practice to do so. Seb’s experience includes designing and delivering a range of schemes in different sectors, with some notable projects including the RAF Museum Midlands Development Programme and the local centre in the heart of the Stanton Cross Development. Seb is also a key member of our Artificial Intelligence Innovation Group.
Chartered Architect Leo Bourke has been with GSS since 2022. He is passionate about design, shown in his extended experience in design development and production of technical packages. Leo has led multiple projects including James Barbour House and numerous hotel and hospitality projects across the country, demonstrating his ability to manage complex schemes with challenging briefs. He has also completed his Principal Designer Buildings Regulation Training, further enhancing his ability to deliver compliant and innovative solutions.
Shannon Walker is an accomplished architect who joined the Newcastle team in 2017. She is a certified user in Revit Architecture from the BIM academy. Her projects include the award-winning Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre for Teesside University and the innovative Dame Margaret Barbour Building. Shannon is also a Wellbeing Champion, working across the practises to promote health and wellbeing internally and sharing research to implement into building design for the benefit of clients.
Senior Partner at GSSArchitecture, Jonathan Hunter, said of the recent promotions, “I am delighted for Alex, Dan, Heather, Seb, Alistair, Leo and Shannon who all thoroughly deserve these promotions. We are extremely fortunate to have such a great team at GSS, with many of those who have undertaken their training with us, continuing to grow and thrive in their careers. The Partners and I thank them for their hard work and commitment to the Practice and look forward to what they will achieve in their new positions.”
With our latest appointments, we strive to continue growing the Practice nationally, through the design and delivery of high-quality projects for our clients.
