Conservation and heritage architecture specialists join forces

Donald Insall Associates has confirmed its merger with York-based architecture practice Ferrey & Mennim, alongside its new status as a certified B Corporation.

Known for its conservation, residential and ecclesiastical projects such as St Magnus Cathedral and Hull Minster, the 102-year-old Ferrey & Mennim has merged its three-person team with Donald Insall Associates’ York studio as part of a succession strategy that secures its future.

Both practices specialise in conservation and heritage architecture, including repair and alteration of complex historic buildings as well as designing new buildings, promoting regenerative and inclusive design.

Dorian Proudfoot, director and York studio lead at Donald Insall Associates, said: “It was important to us that we join forces with a practice that shares our values of conservation best practice whilst developing the skills and encouraging our unique and talented colleagues.

“We were very impressed with the breadth, quality and volume of work that Ferrey & Mennim is undertaking, and we are confident our new colleagues have much in common with us – providing a high standard of care in managing change within the historic environment.”

Andrew Boyce, director, Ferrey & Mennim, added: “The merger will ultimately enable us to provide greater resources for each project including a diverse range of additional skills in heritage, planning and technical design.

“Our current clients should see a seamless transition to the new practice arrangement, and we look forward to working with our Insall colleagues to deliver larger, more complex projects as a part of a bigger team.”

The move comes as Donald Insall Associates also revealed it is the latest architecture practice to become a Certified B Corporation.

Founded in 1958 by Sir Donald Insall, the practice was an early adopter of the employee ownership model, starting the transition over three decades ago in 1991.

It now joins over 2,000 companies in the UK B Corp community which demonstrate high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.

The accreditation seeks to set a higher standard for responsible and sustainable business practices.

Jennifer Beaumont, director, company secretary, and chair of the Employee Ownership Trust at Donald Insall Associates, said: “The heart of conservation is the creative process of caring for a building or a place, aiming to not only make good, but make better.

“We apply those principles of continuous improvement to all aspects of our practice: to our clients and our team.

“There is a strong synergy between our ethos and B Corp’s vision of conducting business in the knowledge that people and place matter, they are at the core of all we do. Reviewing where we are and how we can do better must be a constant process.”