McBains Cooper appoints director of architecture for London

Property and construction consultant McBains Cooper has appointed Mark Leeson to head up the firm’s expanding architectural division in a new London-based department.

He joins the firm from Tate and Hindle Design where he was director.

Leeson said: “The division will create a new design ‘hub’ in London and make McBains Cooper well-placed to provide clients in London and the South East with a strong architectural offer.

“I will use my experience from working on some of the highest profile projects in London and build a design- and delivery-focused team.”

The new architectural division will operate in conjunction with McBains Cooper’s design services in Oxford with the aim to further expand the firm’s architectural work in London and the South East.

Leeson brings many years of experience from the mixed-use, retail and commercial markets and has more recently been involved in several projects within the regeneration area of the Elephant & Castle.

He added: “In the current economic, social and environmental climate, I firmly believe that the secret to producing high quality architecture, whilst maximising economic returns from sites, is closer collaboration between architect and the rest of the design team.

“This integration is likely to become the norm rather than the exception as more stringent regulations place greater pressure on project viability.”