Fletcher Rae overhauls structure to create board

Manchester-based architecture and masterplanning practice Fletcher Rae has hired Seamus Lennon as director, and overhauled its leadership structure to create a new board made up of founders Bob Fletcher and Andrew Rae, alongside Lennon and existing directors Ben Battye and John Clarke.

The change in management structure comes as the practice celebrates its tenth birthday from its Castlefield-based studio, with each director holding equal equity stakes.

Lennon was previously head of the Manchester office at IBI, and has worked on several large-scale projects across the residential, cultural, retail and commercial sectors.

Battye joined from the Harris Partnership in 2013, while John Clarke has been with the business from the outset, having previously worked with Andrew Rae.

The decision is set to take the business to its next growth phase, according to the company, which could see more national, and international projects.

Fletcher Rae is best known in the North West market for its work in the office, retail, residential and industrial sectors. Clients include Nestle and Maro Developments.

The practice has around 30 members of staff, which is likely to be maintained at that level for the foreseeable future. The new ownership structure, however, presents an “opportunity to shape the business in a new direction, growing the output in the retail, commercial and mixed-use sectors”.

In a statement to clients, the practice said: “This is an exciting time, and a new dynamic for the practice which we look forward to sharing with friends and colleagues in the coming years.”