Expertise
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James Sibson
BA (hons), BArch, RIBA, AABC
FCB Studios
James is focused upon delivering design solutions developed from an intricate understanding of existing and historic buildings and context. He has worked across the UK on projects ranging from the discreet though to the large-scale redevelopment of urban sites. He seeks to embed a strong philosophy of reuse and to maximise cultural engagement of historic buildings and settings. He is also co-chair of the Heritage Group feeding into the UKNZCBS.
Claire Smith
BSc, MSt(cantab), CEng, FIStructE, MICE, Hon DEng
Buro Happold
Claire is the office director for the 550 strong Bath (founding) office of Buro Happold. She was made a Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers in 2016, a Partner at Buro Happold in 2018 and an honorary Doctor of Engineering in 2022. During her time in consultancy, she has worked on a wide variety of new build and refurbishment projects including educational, cultural and leisure buildings with much of her work focused in the South West market, where she is leading Buro Happold’s work in the Temple Quarter Enterprise zone. A strong theme of her work is the desire to produce structures that are expressive of the material properties of which they are constructed. In addition to her role at Buro Happold, Claire is on the South West Council of the Confederation of British Industry, leads the Climate and Nature group for the Future Ambition Board for BANES and sits on the Industrial Liaison Panel at the University of Bath.
Ben Smith-Laing
CEng, MEng(hons), MCIHT, CMILT
Transport Planning, Hydrock
Ben is a Chartered Engineer with over 20 years of experience in transport consultancy for a broad range of public and private sector clients. He regularly advises on a range of issues from place-making through to technical junction modelling.
Ben Stephenson
MSc Place Management and Leadership
BAS Consultancy
Ben is a place development consultant with a particular interest in inclusive economic development, food, culture, and community engagement. He is a High Streets Task Force Expert and as a senior fellow, was on the development team at the lead delivery body the Institute of Place Management. Ben is Chief Executive of the Angel Islington Business Improvement District and has an MSc in Place Management and Leadership. He has authored national guidance for public bodies conducting reviews and similar work for the Greater London Authority’s Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm.
Tom Sykes
BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), MArch, DipArch
Extended Studio
Tom is an experienced and passionate architect, and a co-founder of Extended Studio, architects for communities. His work is about making great design accessible to everyone - from co-design and community engagement, to the development of places where people thrive together. Alongside his architectural background, Tom has also worked in public sector leadership positions as a client, giving him a valuable and unusual perspective on architecture, urban design and community projects.
Dan Tapscott
BSc (Hons) MRICS FPTS
Rapleys LLP
Dan is a Chartered Building Surveyor specialising in the field of Neighbourly Matters, which includes Rights to Light, Daylight & Sunlight Amenity, Party Walls and Access Arrangements. Dan is behind multiple developments on our local and national skyline. He founded 'Light Knights' a group raising standards in the Rights to Light & Daylight & Sunlight industry. He is the secretary of the Severnside P&T Society for Party Wall practitioners. He has published numerous articles, and regularly gives seminars on the subject of Neighbourly Matters.
Amanda Taylor
BA Hons Dip Arch
Urban Design Director, Nash Partnership
Amanda has over thirty years’ experience in planning, design and the built environment. Amanda’s areas of expertise include mixed-use masterplanning for LPA and private clients, extending existing communities and creating new neighbourhoods; through strategic allocation, outline and reserve matters stages, producing design codes. Amanda is a qualified Building with Nature assessor which she imparts into her approach to placemaking and urban design. Previous projects have won Housing Design and RTPI Awards. Amanda has also managed estate regeneration project for Council and RSL clients, and resident and stakeholder engagement projects, including strategies for failing highstreets.
Rebecca Thurgood
BA(Hons), DipArch(Dist), RIBA, ARB
LHC Design
Rebecca is Associate Director at LHC Design with over 20 years’ experience designing and delivering noteworthy residential, mixed use and community projects in London, the South East and the South West. Her professional practice is focussed on working collaboratively with public and private sector stakeholders to unlock the full potential of challenging sites, and driving up standards in the quality of housing design.
Sarah Toy
BEng MSc MICE CEng FRSA FSI
Sarah Toy Consulting
Sarah has 30 years’ experience working on infrastructure projects around the world. Her expertise is focused on developing strategic approaches to healthy urban development. She has worked in diverse roles including Sustainability Advisor at consultancy Arup and Chief Resilience Officer at Bristol City Council. Since July 2018 she has been a freelance Urban Futures Consultant and Research Director at Bristol Futures Global, where she leads on digital placemaking and 5G research.
