Architects practice to kickstart recruitment drive

A Shropshire architects’ practice is embarking on a recruitment drive after securing new contract wins.

Johnson Design Partnership (JDP) is now working on nearly 140 live projects worth £23m in construction value, including new deals with the NHS and across healthcare, education and grand designs.

The Bridgnorth firm is looking to double its workforce over the next twelve months, with up to ten new positions to be created in the office as well as technical positions.

Significant success has come in the healthcare space where JDP is now working with ten different NHS trusts on projects ranging from refurbishments and new builds to contracts supporting local charities.

Matt Spinks, director of Johnson Design Partnership, commented: “We’ve never seen a year like this one; it has been incredible in terms of new opportunities and how long term relationships are starting to pay off.

“At £23m of construction value, this is by far our busiest period and we’re strengthening our team accordingly. We want people who share our passion for innovative design and problem solving that often occurs on the work we take on – that’s an important characteristic.

“We have just agreed our 700th appointment, which is a major milestone for a small architects practice and the encouraging thing for us is the diversity of the work – it could be feasibility studies for healthcare settings, grand designs that feature on national TV or refurbishment projects for education who want to make the most of their spaces.”

Johnson Design Partnership’s pursuit of the Crown Commercial Service Supplier status took twelve months to secure, but is now paying off for the boutique architects.

It means the company is on an approved list of organisations that the public sector and charity/community organisations can use on design and build projects and this approval is already opening the door to JDP involvement on a range of projects across the UK.