We are pleased to announce that we are embarking on an exciting new era for Bauman Lyons with Irena Bauman and Maurice Lyons standing down from the practice they founded almost 30 years ago.
Living up to our principles of collaboration, the practice has successfully been transferred over to the existing long-term team via an Employee Benefit Trust agreement which sees two thirds ownership now in the hands of the employees. Director Guy Smith, who has been with Bauman Lyons for 17 years, will be joined by newly-promoted Tom Vigar who also becomes a Director.
Guy commented: “These are exciting times for the team who are really engaged and ready to take the business forward as we continue to challenge and broaden our horizons. We will still collaborate closely with Irena and Maurice on future projects and we will continue to build upon the principles and ethos that have made the practice what it is today. It is a very special place to work and those values will remain the touchstones in the next chapter of the business.”
“The employee ownership model was an important part of the transition for Bauman Lyons and it means the team now has full ownership of its future direction and ambitions. There is a lot of energy and passion in the business and that is being channelled into the new generation of architects that are coming through the practice. We have two architects that qualified during lockdown so even the present situation hasn’t dampened our enthusiasm or stopped progression in any way.”
Irena added: “We have been planning succession for the firm for over ten years when we first set up the EBT. The Bauman Lyons team is strong with a good portfolio of work so now is a good time to entrust the leadership of the practice to remaining directors and for Maurice and I to focus on developing our two new companies Bauman Lyons Developments and MassBespoke in close collaboration with Bauman Lyons Architects.”
Bauman Lyons earned our reputation for our work with local communities, collaborations with artists, public realm projects, creative repurposing of listed buildings and sensitively designed new builds. Amongst other projects, we are currently in the latter stages of delivering a highly collaborative £16m refurbishment and extension project for the Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill – see project page.
We are continuously motivated to make a difference and seek to work on community-based projects, alongside civic activists, social enterprises, artists and academics. Over the years, we have partnered with many inspiring collaborators across public, private, civic and academic sectors on projects including housing, individual homes, workplaces, public realm, schools, museums, urban design and regeneration frameworks. We also continue to maintain links and collaborate on live research projects with regional academic institutions.
Tom Vigar, Director, added: “As we move into the next chapter of the practice we hope to continue working with many of the fantastic clients and collaborators that we have worked with to date, as well as starting new conversations and fresh relationships.”