HLM, a leading multi-disciplinary architectural practice, has made a key promotion at its Cardiff office that sees a senior architect step into the role of associate.
Matthew Thomas, 37, first joined HLM’s design team in 2009 as an architect, and has quickly moved through the ranks. In his new position as associate, he will continue to play a key part in HLM’s various design projects but will also take a prominent role in driving business growth, with a particular focus on developing the business’s portfolio of private sector clients.
Mr Thomas will work alongside two design associates and one interior associate to lead the company’s expansion from the Welsh capital, one of HLM’s eight locations across the UK, South Africa and UAE.
During his time at HLM, Mr Thomas has worked on a number of high-profile educational developments, including acting as the lead architect on the £35m refurbishment, remodelling and expansion of five primary schools in the Brent Borough of London.
More recently, Matthew has been working on an £85m project with the Dubai Government to create a new three-star hotel brand. He has played a fundamental role in the inception of the building concept known as ‘Dubai Smart Hotel’, which is designed to create an architectural style with an instantly recognisable brand.
Mr Thomas has also been chairman of the southern branch of Design Circle, part of the Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW), an organisation that represents 600 of approximately 830 registered architects across Wales, leading the group for the last two years, and was a founder member of the group, Young Professionals in Construction.
He also won third prize in a hotly fought international RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) open competition to create a landmark new build square.
Mr Thomas said: “It’s been both a challenging and exciting six years working at HLM, and it’s an honour to be promoted to associate. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues not only to ensure that HLM continues to deliver world-class design projects but also to continue to grow the clients we’re working with.
“In Cardiff, we have experienced rapid growth in the last year as we’ve expanded our client portfolio and, in turn, the number of employees we have here. In my new role, I will be ensuring that this positive momentum continues by using my experience of leading multi-million pound, international design projects to target and grow new prospects.
“Creating engaging and interactive spaces is what we do best at HLM, and I’m looking forward to driving forward our offer as an associate in Cardiff.”
The headcount in the Cardiff office has doubled over the past year to reach 30, as the practice has won a string of new contracts in the health, education and commercial sectors.
Jonathan Jones, associate director of HLM in Cardiff, said: “Matthew has played a crucial role in delivering some of our high-profile projects throughout his six years with us, and we’re delighted to reward his efforts with this promotion. His design skills are a real strength, not just for the Cardiff office but for the company as a whole.
“Matthew’s commitment to the development of architecture as a sector is evident in his involvement with the RSAW, and that makes him an excellent figurehead for the company.
“In order to achieve our ambitious expansion plans, we recognised the need to have another associate join our senior team. I’m looking forward to working with Matthew, utilising his expert knowledge and experience in the sector to help us achieve our growth aspirations.”
HLM is a practice offering architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, master planning, interior design and sustainability expertise. It has a network of offices across the UK, including in London, Sheffield, Glasgow, Belfast, Cardiff and Plymouth.
HLM’s work spans the private and public sectors, specialising in education, health, defence, justice, civic, commercial and residential.