Investment heralds ambitious growth phase for award-winning architecture firm

TODD Architects, Northern Ireland’s largest architectural consultancy and the firm behind Titanic Belfast, has announced a part-management buyout (MBO) by three existing employees.

Jim Mulholland, Daragh Coleman and Andrew Murray have purchased equity from existing directors Peter Minnis and Paul Crowe, both of whom are staying on in the business in an executive capacity to provide strategic direction and remain as major shareholders.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Paul Crowe, Managing Director, said: “This promotion and opportunity to invest in the practice recognises the significant contribution that Andrew, Daragh and Jim have made to the firm’s growth and success in recent years. Furthermore, it reflects our strong belief that they are the right team to work with us in continuing the growth and sustained success of the practice. We are delighted to welcome them as fellow directors.”

"This will future proof the business, enabling us to maintain and strengthen our market position as one of the UK and Ireland’s leading architecture firms. It also provides a fantastic platform for the next stage in our growth. Having assembled what we now believe to be one of the best senior leadership teams in the business, we very much look forward to continuing to serve our diverse client base through continued design excellence and the delivery of high quality buildings.”

Peter and Paul will continue in their existing roles at the practice, ensuring it achieves sustained growth with the new shareholders. This will include continuing to win major projects across the UK and Ireland in the three strategically-located offices: London, Belfast and Dublin.

Paul Crowe said: “Our long-term commitment to the offices in London and Dublin has allowed us to orbit around the best projects and develop the specialist expertise required to deliver them, including a dedicated aviation team within the practice.”

TODD Architects was advised throughout the transaction by leading law firm A&L Goodbody.

Peter Stafford, corporate partner at A&L Goodbody in Belfast, said: “TODD Architects is an outstanding example of an indigenous firm that, through an unfaltering commitment to quality and innovation, has grown its footprint across the UK and Ireland to compete comfortably with international practices and continues to add to its impressive portfolio of prestigious and award-winning projects.”

TODD Architects is a client focused, multi award-winning design studio. With offices in London, Dublin and Belfast, TODD Architects have built a skilled international team offering multi-sector expertise and specialisms including healthcare, aviation, education, commercial, arts, leisure and residential sectors for both public and private clients.

The firm currently employs over 70 people across its three offices in Belfast, Dublin, and London and has previously won a number of prestigious international awards, including: The Architects’ Journal International Practice of the Year, multiple RIBA, RIAI, RICS and RSUA Design awards, along with several business awards such as Belfast Telegraph Commercial Practice of the year.