New MD at Ellis Williams
Julian Baker has taken on the role of chairman at the Cheshire-based architecture firm, with Neil Adshead stepping into the managing director position.
Baker joined Ellis Williams in 1994, rising in the ranks to managing director in 2012. His move to chairman was part of a management buyout last year by directors Tim Brown, Louise Sheridan, Sarah Delucia-Crook, Robert Freeman, Mirko Gabler, and Adshead.
“I have very much enjoyed my time leading Ellis Williams over the past 12 years and feel privileged to have been afforded the opportunity to do so,” Baker said.
“However, now feels the right time to focus my energies going forward on supporting Neil and the younger directors as they take the practice into the next phase of its evolution, whilst focussing on delivery of my own architecture once again.”
Baker continued: “Taking on the role of chairman will enable me to fulfil these aspirations, whilst ensuring the ethos and vision of the practice remains at the heart of all we do.
“With many years of experience and well respected by staff and clients alike, I am confident Neil will do a great job in his new role as managing director and wish him all the very best.”
Adshead joined Ellis Williams in 2001 as an architect. He became a director in 2017 and equity director in 2020. Prior to Ellis Williams, he held roles at Ormrod & Partners, Calderpeel Architects, and Willacy Horsewood Architects.
Adshead is only the fourth managing director in Ellis William’s 56-year history.
He made a point to praise his predecessor, saying “Julian has done a fantastic job over the last 12 years as our managing director, he has been an inspirational leader as well as a skillful businessman.
“His tenure as MD spans a period of exceptional challenge and change in the architectural world, none of which has dimmed his enthusiasm for and his commitment to the company, our clients, and our people.”
Regarding his own new role as managing director, Adshead said he was “excited” to be leading Ellis Williams’ future.
“We have clear plans to refine and develop the business and part of Julian’s role will be to oversee this and ensure that our ambitions and targets are achieved,” Adshead said.
Ellis Williams is headquartered in Preston Brook and has offices in London, Manchester, Liverpool, and Berlin, Germany.
Recent and notable Northern projects for the firm include the Leeds City College Quarry Hill Campus, the redesign of Northwich Library, Trafford Council’s £18m Partington Sports Village, and the RIBA award-winning Storyhouse in Chester – a project where the studio was the executive architect.
