Meet the team

Graham Edward

MCIAT

Managing Director

Graham founded Edward Architecture in 2005 having been a director of a ‘Top 20’ UK Architect’s practice. He has over 30 years’ experience in the industry across a range of sectors. 

Graham specialises in property and planning advice and has worked closely with blue chip clients in helping to gain planning consents for best value uses and layouts. Graham has a thorough knowledge of current commercial and housing values and trends and contributes to ensure that sites are designed to be attractive to buyers whilst realising the best possible value.

Graham has won a Civic Trust award for works to listed buildings in Saltaire and has published technical articles on renewable energy.

Chris Riley

ARB, RIBA

Director

Chris joined Edward Architecture in 2008 after graduating from Leeds School of Architecture, qualifying as an architect in 2010. He is creative and pragmatic and has a passion for innovative design.

During his time at the company Chris has worked on the award winning Fonab Castle Hotel in Pitlochry and a £30m regeneration scheme in Manchester. He also led Edward Architecture’s entry for an RIBA International Design Competition at Cronton Colliery which was awarded the runner-up prize.

Chris is a client account holder and has had an article published in an architectural journal. At weekends Chris has his patience tested as a season ticket holder at Burnley Football Club. He also enjoys playing football, golf and wining and dining.

Richard Grota

ACIAT

Director

Richard joined the practice in 2016, bringing with him over 30 years of working experience in retail, commercial, residential and healthcare sectors. Richard has gained a vast array of experience on healthcare projects and national social housing schemes having worked on Leeds Breast Cancer Screening Centre, doctor’s surgery’s in Huddersfield and with Accent Homes (Yorkshire) Limited.

Oliver Smith

PGDIP

Architectural Assistant

Oliver joined Edward Architecture in 2015 and has over 10 years’ construction industry experience. He graduated from Sheffield School of Architecture and completed his Post Graduate Diploma at Huddersfield University in 2008.

Oliver is committed to finding solutions for complex technical challenges and has previous involvement on a wide range of projects in the housing, retail and education sectors. Career highlights include forming part of the team to deliver the new £27m campus for Selby College and the £20m Nottingham University Samworth Academy.

Outside of work Oliver is an avid follower of Huddersfield Town Football Club. He plays golf and cricket for his local village team. He also enjoys art, film and live music.

Andrew Haxby

ARB

Architect

Andy joined Edward Architecture in 2014 and with over twenty years’ architectural experience has been able to build up a impressive portfolio of projects with previous experience including an £18m mixed use development in Leeds City Centre comprising 160 apartments with ground floor commercial units.

Andy also has experience in education and healthcare including a £12m Learning Centre for Leeds Metropolitan University and a £29m clinical care reconfiguration project at Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

Andy is a determined architect, constantly striving to further his knowledge by working on a variety of projects, using the experience he has gained to deliver the best possible scheme.

William Cooke

BA(HONS)

Architectural Assistant

William has been an affluent member of Edward Architecture since 2013 and has over 4 years experience in practice. He gained a degree from The University of Huddersfield in 2010 and is currently undertaking his Masters in Architecture at Leeds School of Architecture.

William's kinetic approach to design means he is at his happiest creating graphical presentations and thrives when it comes to producing vibrant housing schemes and illustrative master plans. His academic studies have guided his views on responsive environmental architecture and keen interest in the potentials of parametric design.

Outside of work William is a devoted supporter of the mighty Gunners, plays football for his local football team and is an ardent movie buff.

Nada Tariq

ARB RIBA

Architect

Nada is our newest qualified Architect with over four years' experience working in London, Leeds and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). She was an undergraduate at Kingston University in London and completed her Masters Degree in May 2018 and then went on to pass her RIBA Part 3 in May 2020.

Nada is a fan of modular architecture and enjoys creating innovative and sustainable designs, believing that great design can be acheived with regularity of elements. 

Outside of work, Nada enjoys working out, weight training, eating and watching 'Friends'.

Mark Lee

Architectural Technician

Mark joined the practice in September 2019 and brings with him 30 years experience in the retail, commercial, industrial and residential sectors. Within the past 22 years he has worked closely with one of the UK’s top four food retailers on store refurbishments, extensions and new build schemes.

Mark has a wealth of knowledge in various I.T programmes and is always willing to learn new technologies. 

Outside of work Mark is a follower of various sports and is an avid reader of the Jack Reacher novels.

Niamh Gillespie

Practice Manager

Niamh joined Edward Architecture in October 2019 as Practice Manager and brings with her over 12 years experience in Admin/Office Management. She assists in the development and implementation of the firm’s policies and procedures, manages and oversees administration of HR policies, programmes and practices within the firm along with maintaining accounts payable, receivables and monthly billing.

During Niamh’s career she has been recognised for delivering outstanding Customer Service. She is a stickler for high standards and likes to do everything with humour and a smile.

In her spare time Niamh enjoys spending time with her family, catching up with friends, wining and dining and going to gigs.