Architecture and design firm hires home specialist as director

Ian Powell, director; Sheleendra Fernando, director

Sheleendra Fernando, director; Jamie Brown, senior project architect; Ian Powell, director; Rangi Fernando, senior architectural assistant; Sam Costall, operations manager

East Midlands-based architectural and design consultancy practice 24/Three has appointed experienced new home specialist and strategist Ian Powell to its board of directors.

24/Three was established in 2021 by Sheleendra Fernando and provides full-service architecture and design services to public and private sector construction clients across residential master planning and development.

Powell was appointed to the board at the start of October after seven years with a Nottinghamshire-based developer, where he previously worked alongside Sheleendra – and eight years in the public sector mapping new build housing delivery. Powell’s role as a director of 24/Three will initially see him look to establish new partnerships, support new and existing clients and centralise the current Northampton and Nottingham offices into one location.

He said: “Sheleendra has established a lovely environment with like-minded people. It’s a place where I feel I can thrive,” he explains.

“I can see how I can help to shape the company into something we can both be really proud of. The opportunity to team up with Sheleendra again, doing what we both love, was too good to turn down”, he adds.

Fernando added: “Ian has a wealth of industry knowledge, Any business in our industry would be lucky to have him, so I see it as a real coup to welcome him onboard.

“I love the fact that we share common values around how business should be conducted and how we can make a real difference. We’re both passionate about being open and honest with people while improving environments and creating spaces people can be proud of.

“At the same time, we see client relationships as collaborative partnerships rather than merely client and supplier. It is important to us that we create an environment that encourages our team to remain humble and treat people with respect. This is the cornerstone of the culture we’re fostering so that clients and employees strive to be a part of our journey”

News of Ian’s appointment comes at a time when the business is also investing in a number of other new positions after operations manager Sam Costall recently joined the company – with more new hires planned for early 2023.

“The time is right for Ian to join us,” added Fernando. “There are exciting opportunities where Ian’s skills will help us to realise client aspirations and push the business into new specialist areas – helping us to attract even more industry talent.

“We have ambitious plans and we’re excited to see what the future holds as we push forward and continue to grow 24/Three together.”

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