Ian Walsh, Associate at the architecture practice Cartwright Pickard, was named the Rising Star of the North, North Wales and Northern Ireland at the second annual British Council for Offices (BCO) NextGen Awards.
The Awards are part of the BCO’s NextGen programme, which sets out to mentor and encourage the next generation of professionals to become future leaders in the industry, whilst providing a platform for new talent to share ideas. The awards dinner on November 15th, attended by the country’s top designers, developers, architects and occupiers under the age of 35, celebrated the achievements and successes of young professionals in the commercial property sector and their mentors. NextGen members also voted for the office environments and buildings that have most inspired them.
Last year, Ian has led the design and delivery of the mixed-use development, Gatecrasher Apartments in Sheffield, a project which encompasses retail space, commercial units and 270 bed spaces. Ian also worked closely with English Heritage to restore Sellers Wheel, a £3 million project to update Grade II listed buildings into office, café and accommodation. Given his relationship with English Heritage, Ian played a leading role in the Albert Works conversion where he managed the design and delivery of the conversion of disused red-brick warehouses into 1,500 sq.m. of modern commercial workspace. To date, this project has won the Regeneration Project of the Year Award at the Inside Yorkshire Industry Awards, been awarded the most inspired workspace of 2017 at The Prolific North Inspired Spaces North and has been shortlisted for Refurbishment Project of the Year Award at The Building Awards. Outside of Sheffield, he played a significant role in the XYZ building, a £27 million flexible commercial new build workplace in Manchester.
Cristiano Testi, Chairman of the BCO NextGen Committee, commented: “The panel was particularly impressed with Ian’s role in helping younger staff achieve their professional qualifications. His compassion and openness has made him a key mentor figure, and fully deserving of the NextGen Rising Star Award.”
Ken Shuttleworth, President of the BCO, said: “Ian impressed the judges with his experience across a series of high profile projects from residential and mixed-use spaces to workplace sectors. The breadth and quality of his experience really impressed the panel.”
