As Director of Practice, Helen is responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of programmes to maintain and enhance the high levels of technical competence and expertise across the whole practice, to ensure legal and best practice compliance. Helen’s commitment to sustainability, diversity and inclusive design, supports the implementation of new initiatives to assist the practice in achieving its quality management, sustainability and corporate social and environmental responsibility objectives. Specialising in Education design for many years, particularly Early Years, Primary and Special Schools, Academies, and University Technical Colleges, she led the innovative SHaW Futures Academy project which led to a book entitled “Urban Schools: Designing for High Density” published by RIBA.

She is well recognised through her collaboration with industry bodies- particularly RIBA. Helen was a founder member of Architects for Change, the RIBA’s Equality & Diversity Forum, Convenor of the Schools Client Forum, and both a council and board member. She is passionate about cross industry collaboration, engagement and research. She played a significant role in the establishment of Modern Apprenticeships in Architecture and was awarded Fellowship of the RIBA in 2020. Alongside this, Helen is also an Honorary Research Fellow at Oxford Brookes University.