Whittam Cox Architects introduces new leadership structure

Chesterfield-based Whittam Cox Architects has unveiled a new senior leadership framework to drive its next phase of growth, with changes effective from 1 December.

The restructuring follows Ashley Turner’s decision to step down as chief executive officer. The refreshed management approach consolidates the expertise of the firm’s directors into a unified executive team, ensuring strategic and operational continuity.

Andy Dabbs and Nick Riley will step into newly created roles as managing executive directors, leveraging their complementary strengths to lead the firm’s service and project delivery while overseeing key strategic areas.

Andy said: “This is an important milestone for us in our sixth decade.

“We’ve achieved so much progress and diversification in the last ten years, and we are both excited and optimistic about the future.

“This evolution of our practice leadership structure recognises and promotes the directors into one team. We believe this will positively support leading the business effectively and successfully into the future.

“We feel both confident and excited about this news and the transition which we are looking to fully realise over the next year and beyond”.

Nick added: “Our compass in navigating this change has been centred on providing the best outcome for the practice holistically and for our clients.

“This structure will provide more opportunity for inclusive progression of colleagues and will help us to continue building on the strength of our service offering to clients.

“As a practice we want to leave a positive impact and legacy in everything we do and for us this is about being progressive by design.”

The leadership team also includes existing shareholders Dave Savage, Jon Godwin, Dan Cocker, Steve Spedding, David Skelton, Mark Williams, Ian Lowson and Paul Rogers, who will collectively guide the practice’s evolution.

Whittam Cox Architects’ new structure reflects its commitment to fostering innovation and excellence as it continues to shape the built environment.

Ashley also added: “This marks a new era for Whittam Cox Architects and is part of a succession plan and practice evolution essential for the long-term success of the practice that we set in place just over 10 years ago.

“I have every confidence that this remarkable business will continue to be successful and grow with this leadership model.”

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