We are experts in masterplanning, design, and delivery. We believe that the foundation for good architecture and design is built on the long-term relationships we have with clients.

People Group Partners

About Us

We care about the quality of our service, working in partnership with our clients in both the private and public sectors, listening to their needs, understanding their values and culture, to deliver outstanding projects across a range of sectors.

We are known for our quality, reliability and integrity. We apply our technical expertise and commercial insight to resolve complex issues effectively and deliver well-designed, innovative buildings, creating better places for people to live, work and enjoy.

We are committed to nurturing an open, inclusive, fair and supportive business that promotes social value and embraces our duty of care to our community, the environment and society as a whole.

Success in both public and private sectors has seen Stephen George + Partners enjoy healthy growth throughout the UK and abroad.

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SGP is one of the UK’s leading architectural practices. An Architects’ Journal AJ100 company with offices in London, Leicester, Leeds, Birmingham and Solihull.

  • Impartial treatment of all without discrimination. Providing an open environment where all are encouraged to offer ideas. Being consistent in our approach.

  • Honesty. Doing what we say and saying what we do. Being open, clear and direct with one another.

  • Working to the highest possible standards to ensure consistency across everything that we do, including the following two values.

  • Offering the best possible assistance and advice to our clients. Going the extra mile to ensure all deadlines are met and key criteria considered.

  • Maintaining the highest possible architectural standards, giving us the freedom to undertake exciting projects and to create great places.

  • We believe we have a responsibility to society and to our planet and that we should give freely of our time to help others.

People

History

Founded in 1970 by Leicester City Architect, Stephen George, our timeline highlights significant moments in the practice’s history – the people, the offices, the projects, the innovation, the awards, the events. A half century of exemplary design and great people who have continued to care, challenge and deliver for clients.

 

April 2024

SGP Spring Conference

The morning began with presentations from the SGP Digital Team which focused on ‘Digitally Enabled Architecture’ and highlighted how data will unlock huge potential in our industry and our profession.

James Blood, as head of…

SGP Spring Conference
April 2024

SGP Partners

From Left to Right:

Richard Smyth
Alistair Branch
James Nicholls
Luke Abbott
Justine Chamberlain
Marcus Madden-Smith

People Group Partners
January 2024

Luke Abbott Promoted to Partner

To be celebrating 50 years of exemplary masterplanning and architecture against the background of a global health crisis and massive economic turbulence is not quite what we originally envisaged.

Yet within current events there is…

Luke Abbott Staff Photo
December 2023

Ian Yallop Retires as Chairman

Ian Yallop, SGP Chairman, will be retiring as Partner and stepping back from day-to-day duties at the AJ100 architectural practice at the end of 2023. He will remain involved in supporting the Partners on key…

Ian Yallop
September 2023

SGP Autumn Conference

An opportunity for a whole gathering of the Practice bringing together our four geographic office locations: Leicester, London, Leeds and Birmingham. The event focussed on the emerging design challenges that we face as an industry.…

People Group Photo
September 2023

SGP London Office Launch Event

We had a fantastic time at our London Office Event on Thursday 28th September. Not only was the venue at Laurel’s on The Roof amazing, the food was good and so was the company; it…

SGP London Office Launch Event
June 2023

Building Materials Guide v.3.1 Released

A new and completely revised third edition of the RIBA award-winning Guide to Building Materials and the Environment has been launched by Stephen George + Partners in collaboration with the GreenSpec website in response to…

A-Guide-to-Building-Materials-Inside-3-scaled
September 2022

SGP Autumn Conference

The morning began with an overview of the challenges we face in the profession, our recent successes and plans for the future. This was followed by presentations in the importance of design and our expertise…

People Group Photo
July 2022

James Blood Appointed as SGP's Digital Director

James Blood has been promoted to Director at SGP, focusing on SGP’s drive to integrate digital services throughout the practice and facilitating greater collaboration within the practice as well as externally with clients, stakeholders and…

James Blood Staff Photo
December 2022

Michael Barker Retires as Senior Partner

Michael joined SGP in 1979 as a year out student to complete his professional qualifications. Michael at first worked in a small group on the refurbishment and conversion of Victorian housing in Leicester. He worked…

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November 2022

SGP Expands the Longbridge Office to Support Growth in West Midlands

We expanded our Longbridge office to accommodate the extra staff recruited to meet the practice’s business growth in Birmingham and the West Midlands.

At home in the Innovation Centre at Longbridge Technology Park, SGP knocked…

Longbrige Office People
February 2022

Tariq Khan Promoted to Studio Director

The West Midlands region has seen substantial growth in staff numbers during the past 24 months to cater for new and existing project demands. We are proud of the relationships we have with existing clients…

Tariq Khan Staff Photo
December 2021

Geoff Ward Retires as Partner

Geoff Ward
September 2021

Expansion Prompts SGP London Office Relation to Shoreditch

Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) is excited to be moving its existing London office to new premises in Shoreditch. Prompted by the AJ100 practice’s expanding workload in the capital and south-east, SGP is taking…

SGP London
September 2021

Nicola Pettman Promoted to Studio Director

The Partner Group constantly assess SGP’s aspirations for the future and exploring methods to grow, maintain and diversify the Practice. As embodied in our business plan, part of this process has been to grow our…

Nicola Pettman Staff Photo
March 2021

Arshad Khan Promoted to Studio Director

SGP is pleased to announce that Arshad Khan has been promoted to Studio Director. Previously an Associate in the practice, Arshad joined SGP in 2016 as part of a team working in masterplanning, distribution, commercial,…

Arshad Khan Staff Photo
January 2021

Chris Webster Promoted to Studio Director

Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) is pleased to announce that Chris Webster has been promoted to Studio Director.

Chris joined SGP in 1997 and was promoted to Associate in 2006 before being appointed Studio…

Chris Webster Staff Photo
December 2020

Richard Smyth Promoted to Partner

Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) is delighted to announce that Richard Smyth has been promoted to Partner, effective from 1st January 2021. Richard has been Studio Director at the AJ100 practice’s Solihull office since…

Richard Smyth Staff Photo
October 2020

Alistair Branch Promoted to Partner

We are delighted to announce that Alistair Branch is to be promoted to Partner at Stephen George + Partners’ Leeds office, effective from 1st January 2021.

Since joining in 2016 to spearhead SGP’s transportation sector…

Alistair Branch Staff Photo
July 2020

50th Birthday

To be celebrating 50 years of exemplary masterplanning and architecture against the background of a global health crisis and massive economic turbulence is not quite what we originally envisaged.

Yet within current events there is…

SGP Waterfront House Group People
September 2019

Luke Abbott Appointed as Studio Director

SGP appointed Luke Abbott as Studio Director, based at their Leicester office.

Luke will be working with Partner Marcus Madden-Smith in SGP’s industrial and logistics sector group. In addition to managing a team, Luke will…

Luke Abbott Staff Photo
December 2018

John Morfey Retires as Partner

John Morfey
November 2018

SGP Partners

From Left to Right:

John Morfey
Justine Chamberlain
Michael Barker
Marcus Madden-Smith
Ian Yallop
Geoff Ward
James Nicholls

SGP Partners
June 2018

Stephen George + Partners Move into New Leicester Office

We moved into our new Leicester Office building has reached practical completion and we now occupy 2a Waterfront House.

Designed and delivered by us, the new office showcases our capabilities in design and sustainability to…

SGP Waterfront House, Leicester
January 2018

SGP Backs Future Growth with Senior Management Promotions

We are delighted to announce a series of internal promotions to our senior management team, with effect from 1st January 2018. Current Managing Partner Michael Barker will take up a new role as Senior Partner…

SGP Promotion Partners People Group James Nicholls, Justine Chamberlain, Mick Barker, Ian Yallop
December 2017

Chris Wicks Retires as Partner

Chris Wicks
October 2017

SGP Merges with Leeds Healthcare Specialists

Leeds-based specialist healthcare architects, Enable by Design, has become an integral part of one of Stephen George + Partners’ (SGP).

The merger of the two companies gives additional momentum to SGP’s expansion plans, as well…

Leeds Merger
October 2017

Birmingham Office Relocates to Longbridge

The Birmingham office relocated to larger premises at Longbridge Technology Park following a recent merger with Birmingham-based MKguru Architect Ltd. The move marks a significant expansion of Stephen George + Partners in the West Midlands…

Longbridge - Left-to-Right-Chipeta-Ian-Yallop-Kumar-Muniandy
January 2016

Marcus Madden-Smith is Promoted to Partner

Stephen George & Partners is delighted to announce that as of Monday 1st January 2016 Marcus Madden-Smith has become a member of the LLP.

Marcus joined the practice on 6th January 1997 as an Architectural…

Marcus Madden-Smith
October 2015

Pratibha Gadhi Retired

Pratibha Gadhi, SGPs longest serving Accounts Administrator, retired after 43 years of service.

Pratibha Gadhia Retirement
December 2014

Richard Smyth is Appointed as Director

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Smyth as a Director in our Solihull Office as part of plans to grow the business in the West Midlands.

Working directly with client Prologis UK…

Richard Smyth Staff Photo
December 2012

Russell Vernum Retires as Partner

Russell Vernum
September 2012

Stephen George & Partners LLP are delighted to announce that JSP Architecture Merger

Stephen George & Partners LLP are delighted to announce that JSP Architecture has become an integral part of the Stephen George & Partners Group operating from our Leicester office at 170 London Road.

JSP Merger
June 2008

First Volunteers Have Gone to South Africa

The first group of volunteers went to Eshowe in South Africa for one week in June. They were working on a house for a local family together with two local builders and local volunteers.

SGP Arica Visit
May 2008

SGP Wins Best Small Companies Award

Stephen George + Partners were awarded the best small companies to work for by The Sunday Times, we were delighted to not only be the only East Midlands practice to win the award but also…

Best Companies Award
October 2007

Sheffield Millennium Winter Garden Hosts Unique Initiative In The Midlands and The North

On the 5th October 2007 eminent designers, artists and architects assembled at the Sheffield Millennium Winter Garden to adjudicate an inclusive charrette, where the delegates of invited students, architects and other design professionals including…

SGP Development Day - Sheffield
October 2007

Refurbishment Leonard Cheshire Homes

Stephen George & Partners launched their Social Responsibility programme to their staff by organising a one day refurbishment of Leonard Cheshire Disability’s residential home in Cheltenham.

One hundred professionals, including architects, descended on Leonard…

Refurbishment Leonard Cheshire Homes
October 2006

Leeds Office Moved from No. 4 to 33 Park Place

33 Park Place Leeds
October 2006

Inspiring Trip to Berlin

Staff from Stephen George + Partners were treated to a weekend in Berlin ‘to inspire and excite’. In total, 100 members of staff from Leicester, Nottingham and Solihull offices enjoyed the trip.

Senior Partner David…

Berlin
January 1980

Stephen George Retires from the Practice

Stephen George
July 1970

London Office

The practice grew slowly and during the 1970’s acquired a new partner in Leeds – William Houghton-Evans known to us as Bill who was an architect and lecturer in the engineering department at Leeds University…

5 Dreyden Office, London
May 1970

Stephen George Establishes the Practice

Leicester City Chief Architect, Stephen George, at the age of 55, leaves local government to set up his own practice at 31 Bowling Green Street in Leicester. He is joined by two young architects from…

David Taylor 1970

Award Winning

As one of the UK’s leading architectural practices, our teams are skilled and highly versatile, providing an exceptional level of expertise in masterplanning, design and delivery enabling us to win awards in all our specialist sectors.

 

Award Award Won Project Category
British Construction Industry Awards Winner Halifax Bus Station Transport of the Year
Planet Mark Awards 2024 Shortlisted Better Buildings and SGP+You Community Engagement
Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards Finalist Christmas Hill Business Park, Thame Delivering Value
Mix Design Award Finalist Fidelis Office Fitout, 22 Bishopsgate, London Project of the Year – Workplace £5 - £15k
Transport Times Finalist Halifax Bus Station Design, Engineering & Construction Project of the Year
ProCon Leicestershire Finalist Plots 3 - 5 Pioneer Park, Leicester Medium to Large Non-Residential Scheme of the Year
Award Award Won Project Category
East Midlands Property Awards Construction Project of the Year Derby, Infinity Park, NAMRC-Midlands Industrial
CE Excellence Yorkshire & Humber Building Project of the Year Halifax Bus Station Redevelopment Transport
Award Award Won Project Category
Constructing Excellence Award Integration & Collaborative Working Award Broad Marsh Bus Station Transport
East Midlands Business Link Brick Awards Commercial development of the year Broad Marsh Bus Station Transport
British Parking Awards Best New Car Park Broad Marsh Bus Station Transport
CE - Regional Awards Project of the Year Stevenage Bus Station Transport
Royal Town Planning Institute Best Project Award Rugby DIRFT 3 Zone D Amenity Hub Industrial
Leicester Civic Society Heritage and Design, (formerly the Restoration and New Build awards) Leicester Synagogue Highfield Street Religious
Award Award Won Project Category
Leicester Civic Society Heritage and Design, (formerly the Restoration and New Build awards) Great Central Station Offices
Award Award Won Project Category
Brownfield Awards Best Biodiversity Enhancement Glan Llyn Eastern Materplanning
RTPI Cymru Awards for Planning Excellence RTPI Cymru Awards for Planning Excellence Glan Llyn Eastern Materplanning
Award Award Won Project Category
ProCon Leicestershire Awards ProCon Small Non-Residential Scheme of the Year Award SGP, Waterfront House, Enderby, Leicester Offices
RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence Royal Town Planning Institute Friar's Mill, Offices, Leicester Offices
Yorkshire and Humber Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber Constructing Excellence Awards - South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Framework Fieldhead Hospital Non-Secure Unit, Wakefield Healthcare
Insider Media Commercial Development of the Year St. Modwen Park, Doncaster Logistics
The Leicestershire Joint Consultative Committee LJCC Merit Awards for Craftsmanship Waterfront House, Enderby, Leicester Offices
Award Award Won Project Category
CIOB Award Fieldhead Hospital Non-Secure Unit, Wakefield Healthcare
Humber & West Yorkshire Awards For Integration and Collaborative Working Fieldhead Hopsital Non-Secure Unit, Wakefield Healthcare
Award Award Won Project Category
RIBA RIBA East Midlands Award Number One Westhill Road, Leicester Residential
Y&H LABC Building Excellence Awards Best Public Service Building Bradford Royal Infirmary, £28m New Medical Wing Healthcare
LABC Building Excellence LABC Building Excellence Awards Grand Final Hemp House, Bassingham Residential
Pontefract Civic Society Commercial & Civic Award Pontefract Civic Society Commercial & Civic Award Pontefract Baghill House, Health & Wellbeing Centre Healthcare
ProCon Leicestershire Awards ProCon Awards - 2017 Winner Small Residential Scheme Number One Westhill Road, Leicester Residential
Award Award Won Project Category
FBE East Midlands Award FBE East Midlands Award - Residential Scheme Tur Langton former Bulls Head Houses Residential
ProCon Leicestershire Awards Large Residential Tur Langton former Bulls Head Houses Residential
Award Award Won Project Category
Award Award Won Project Category
Award Award Won Project Category
Award Award Won Project Category
LRSA Presidents Award Renovation Award Mountsorrel Library Public Building
ProCon Leicestershire Awards Small Scheme of the Year LES Physics Building Education
Award Award Won Project Category
LRSA Presidents Award Large Scheme LES Music School Education
Loughborough and District Civic Trust's Prize Best New Building, the Philip Jordon Prize LES Music School Education
RIBA East Midlands Award Special Project Award The Guide 2011 Sustainability
RIBA President's Award for Outstanding Practice Based Research The Guide 2011 Sustainability
RIBA Regional Awards Low Carbon SusCon, Dartford, Kent Education
The British Constructional Steelwork Assocation Ltd Structural Steelworks Design Award Marks & Spencer Distribution Distribution Centre Industrial
Award Award Won Project Category
UK Housing Award Meeting the Needs of Vulnerable People Beacon Centre for the Blind, Wolverhampton Residential
Award Award Won Project Category
The Green Apple Awards The Green Apple Awards 2008 Mountsorrel Library Public Building
RIBA/LRSA Winner - Large Projects 2009 Loughborough Magistrates Court Public Building
LRSA Design Award 2008 LES Music School Education
Charnwood Borough Council & The Loughborough Mail New Build 2008 LES Music School Education
ProCon Leicestershire Awards ProCon Awards 2007 - Building of the Year 2007 LES Music School Education
ProCon Leicestershire Awards Small Scheme of the Year Award 2007 LES Music School Education
Award Award Won Project Category
Charnwood Borough Council & The Loughborough Mail Charnwood Design Awards Walkers Lane, Rothely Offices
Award Award Won Project Category
Charnwood Borough Council & The Loughborough Mail Charnwood Design Awards Loughborough Grammar School Drama Studio and English Centre Education

Accreditations

Our accreditations and memberships demonstrate our commitment to providing quality of service and design to our clients as well as our commitment to the environment.

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SGP BIM LRQA Certified
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SGP BIM LRQA Certified
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People Group