About

About Plan A

We are a specialist independent consultancy focused on one thing – design management for architects.

Since 2015, we’ve supported the world’s most respected architects with dedicated design management services. Our global, cross-sector expertise includes projects of all shapes and sizes, from transformational urban design to cultural institutions, sports stadia, airports, universities and resorts.

Our team is constantly growing. Right now, there are more than 45 of us. We’re all natural collaborators and meticulous managers, many of us from design backgrounds. As a specialist consultancy, we believe in developing our people and providing opportunities to learn and grow while creating an environment where everyone can succeed.

 

Why architects work with Plan A

We’re motivated to make projects more efficient and enjoyable to deliver while putting the processes in place to support architects getting paid. And we reassure clients with the knowledge that design management is well taken care of through our upfront project planning, team organisation, programming and reporting services.

Simon England Associate Design Manager

Coming from an architectural background, I know first-hand the pressures designers face.

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Lucy Freeston Associate Director

We’re able to positively influence the process and develop a clear and efficient design strategy.

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David Palmeri Associate Director

I enjoy untangling the complexities of working on big projects with many consultants.

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Origins

Plan A was founded in 2015 after Nick Willars and Gerard Daws worked together at a global multidisciplinary firm. Their ambition? To set up a design management consultancy that benefits architects and designers and their projects. The result is an independent company with a single service line, made up of a tight-knit team where everybody has a voice, and the focus is on quality rather than growth for growth’s sake.

After working for companies intent on expanding their service offer, we wanted to narrow our focus on one thing – design management. The level of attention we bring means we're the best at what we do, and that's why architects want to work with us.

Gerard Daws, Director & Co-Founder, Plan A

We could see a lack of attention to design management within architecture practices, and we wanted to do something about it. By combining our skills, we can help architects define and manage the design process, giving them the time and space to focus on the more creative side of things.

Nick Willars, Director & Co-Founder, Plan A

Latest news

13/03/2023 Building a project brief through collaboration: The challenges of Higher Education projects

Collaboration with stakeholders is critical for successful briefing on any type of project.  However, on higher education projects this group is supplemented by a multitude of end user groups whose ...

02/03/2023 Plan A Charity Quiz Night!

Last night we held our first Plan A Charity Quiz night in aid of ISLINGTON CENTRE FOR REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS – a local charity set up to support refugees & migrants in ...

27/02/2023 Architectural Association Open Practice Day

Senior Design Managers Cheryl Tang and Joshua Jones had a great time at the first Architectural Association Open Practice Day today. They were very pleased to meet the rising stars of the architecture industry and to catch ...

22/02/2023 The Importance of Stage 1

The importance of developing and agreeing a clear and robust brief during RIBA Stage 1 should not be underestimated. We often experience a desire from clients, project managers and design teams ...

17/02/2023 CSSDA Web Design Awards

We are delighted to have won the following web design awards at CSSDA: UI - User Interface, UX - User Experience, Innovation and Special Kudos. Founded in 2009 and launched in ...

17/02/2023 MIPIM 2023

Next month Associate Director, Ben Brouard and Marketing Manager, Zoe White will be representing Plan A at MIPIM 2023 from 13-17th March. Please get in touch if you would like to set up a meeting ...

07/02/2023 We’re Hiring – Design Managers!

If you're interested in developing your career in Design Management, get in touch with us. Plan A Consultants is keen to hear from Design Managers looking to start or develop ...

31/01/2023 New year, new look

Since 2015, we’ve been on an incredible journey working with brilliant architects on projects across the world. But it was time for a change. We’re delighted with our bold new look ...

12/01/2023 Abu Dhabi Study Trip 2022

Back in November Plan A had the privilege of taking the whole team to Abu Dhabi for a study trip. It was a great opportunity to see two of Plan A ...

12/01/2023 New Starter

A warm welcome to Stacey Pike, who joined this week as People and Culture Manager. Stacey has just moved to London and brings a wealth of HR experience from both the ...

19/12/2022 New Starter

A warm welcome to Joanna Kielbowska, who joined us last week as a Senior Design Manager. Joanna was previously an Architect and brings a wealth of experience to the role. She ...

16/12/2022 Bath Spa University Lecture

Thank you, Bath Spa University, for inviting Associate Design Manager Simon England to give a lecture on ‘Building within Buildings’. It was a wonderful opportunity to see first-hand the adaptive reuse ...

14/12/2022 Completion of Gascoigne East Phase 2

We are delighted to see the completion of one of London’s largest regeneration schemes, Gascoigne East Phase 2 in Barking designed by White Arkitekter. The affordable housing scheme features Scandinavian-style ...

13/12/2022 9B Careers 2022 Architectural Salary Survey Report

Great to be able to contribute to 9B Careers '2022 Architectural Salary Survey Report' with our company profile explaining how we have progressed in the last year and what we offer as ...

10/12/2022 Movember!

The Plan A Team have been participating in Movember’s activities to raise money and awareness about mental health, suicide prevention, and prostate and testicular cancer. Typically, Movember runs the full length ...

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