Leading independent strategic land promoter Richborough Estates has further strengthened its team with the appointment of Charlotte Lewis as consultant design director.
Charlotte, who is a chartered architect and urban designer with 17 years’ experience in residential design, regeneration and masterplanning, has joined the team on an exclusive secondment from multi-service consultancy Baily Garner. Charlotte will be assisting Richborough Estates with its strategic projects to champion good design and placemaking.
This latest senior appointment follows a string of key hires for the Birmingham-based firm, who are continuing to grow in new regions across the UK and are playing a key role in the ongoing debate around addressing the national housing shortage.
Charlotte will support Richborough in its vision and communication, focusing on the design aspect of strategic projects to create sustainable, market facing schemes which reinforce local character and identity.
Karl Parkinson-Witte, co-managing director for Richborough Estates, said: “As the land promotion landscape continues to evolve, we have invested heavily over the last year to ensure we have a key project team with specialist skills and experience, who can continually add value for our clients.
“The acute housing shortage continues to put pressure on local authorities, housebuilders and promoters to improve the level of housing being bought forward whilst ensuring that new developments actively contribute to their existing surroundings.
“As an experienced design director with a track record of securing planning consents, Charlotte will be a key player in ensuring our schemes are high quality, responsive and mutually beneficial. She will also play an important role in assisting us with our on-going commitment to involve key stakeholders and the local community in the consultative stage of our projects.”
Formerly design director at Pegasus Group, leading both small and large scale residential schemes across the UK, Charlotte has honed her career in architecture working with volume housebuilders and strategic land clients. Charlotte’s area of expertise lies with complex greenfield sites, with recent project sites at Ludlow, Dickens Heath, Great Bowden and Aylesbury.
Charlotte said: “I’m delighted to have joined Richborough Estates and am looking forward to working with the team and assisting with their growing portfolio of sites.
“I try and take a balanced approach to all aspects of design; making good use of space, responding to characteristics of the site and creating value through quality architecture and placemaking. It’s key that the scheme harmonises with the character of the site and its surroundings.”
Since the business launched in 2003, Richborough Estates has gown year-on-year, with over 70 active projects and a team of 13 full time professionals across a diverse range of specialisms in the planning, surveying and building sectors.