Internationally Renowned Brand Set To Flourish Following Rescue Deal

By David Shirt

The Sheffield office of law firm, Irwin Mitchell, has advised specialist architect firm, HLM, on a strategic investment which has seen it acquire and rescue the internationally recognised Llewelyn Davies brand.
 
Llewelyn Davies, a leader in hospital design with an established reputation built up over 53 years, has delivered over 250 major hospitals in 75 countries, as well as influencing healthcare masterplanning across the world. 
 
HLM is architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, masterplanning, interior design and sustainability practice.  In addition to its office in Sheffield, it has a presence in London, Glasgow, Belfast, Cardiff and Plymouth in the UK, as well as Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi. 
 
Having collaborated successfully over the past year on a number of projects and bids, the new team will build on Llewelyn Davies’ strengths and success, as well as HLM’s own leadership in healthcare, to deliver quality projects to existing and future clients in masterplanning, healthcare, social infrastructure and transport.
 
Key projects for the new practice includes Great Ormond Street Hospital, Harefield Hospital, projects for University College London Hospital Charity and international aviation projects.
 
Matt Ainsworth, Corporate Partner at Irwin Mitchell in Sheffield, said: “We are delighted to have advised on this deal. The Llewelyn Davies brand is well-known not just in the UK but internationally and this deal is sure to breathe new life into the practice and enable the business to move forward with success.”
 
Caroline Buckingham, director at HLM, said: “The last five years have been challenging for our profession and the wider building industry.  We are pleased to be in a position to ensure a great brand like Llewelyn Davies is sustained so it can continue to provide its specialised expertise to clients.”
 
Steve Featherstone at Llewelyn Davies, said: “We are delighted to be working with HLM Architects. The brand of 'Llewelyn Davies' has a heritage and reputation which is recognised worldwide.  Bert McCabe and I have combined experience of nearly 60 years within the LD brand, having worked in over 40 countries worldwide. With HLM’s sound and successful business practices plus its management systems to support the new business, we look forward to assisting existing and future clients to deliver social infrastructure with innovative, commercial and sustainable designs.”
 
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