James Richmond and Gary Humphreys have been appointed as joint Managing Directors of The Harris Partnership (THP) as the architectural practice welcomes a management buyout.
The company has grown considerably as a result of long-standing client relationships across the UK, and the new appointments will see James Richmond based in Wakefield, Yorkshire, to oversee the northern developments, with Gary Humphreys leading the southern expansion from the Milton Keynes office.
THP had a £10.25m turnover for its latest financial year – an increase of 25 per cent on 2020/21.
The management buyout will also see Michael Schorah step down as Managing Director, which he has held since 2007, and continue his role within the practice as non-executive director. Paul Mitchell will continue as chairman.
James Richmond joined THP in 1995, becoming a director in 2011. He was made group director two years later.
He said: “Since joining THP I have seen the practice go from strength to strength, now operating from five offices – Wakefield, Manchester, Reading, Milton Keynes and London.
“These have provided the perfect locations for us to build on our long-term relationships with our clients such as, Aldi, British land, Haworth Group together with new relationships with the Associated British Ports (ABP), Frasers Property (UK) Ltd, Premcor Estates Limited and Patrizia Real Estate Development.
“I’m proud to be leading the business into this next chapter of growth in an exciting marketplace with our experienced team on board.”
Gary Humphreys joined THP in 1996 and became a director in 1999. In 2007, the company re-structured and Gary became one of the founding THP Group board members alongside Paul Mitchell and Michael Schorah.
He said: “I have worked closely with chairman Paul Mitchell and Michael Schorah over the last 25 years and am delighted that we will be continuing to work together for the foreseeable future to continue the growth and strength of the company. I am also pleased we have been able to allow Michael to realise the value of what he has been very much a part of for over 30 years, as well as securing an independent future for The Harris Group.”
The Harris Partnership employs more than 140 staff across five offices with a portfolio of mixed-use retail parks and residential schemes throughout the country, along with managing the largest portfolio of ALDI projects in the North and South East.